Tenant left during tenancy; can I recover any letting fee?

[pamo]

Hi

I let a flat 4 months ago with a one year tenancy agreement. I paid the agent 8% of a year's rent as a letting fee. The tenant turned out to be a big problem and the management of the block made several complains and they threatened to ask their solicitor to take action and charge me all the expenses. I had to give the tenant her notice and she is leaving the flat. I am really upset with the agent for finding me this tenant and charging me almost £900. Is there any way I could get my money back?

[jeffrey]

Hi

I let a flat 4 months ago with a one year tenancy agreement. I paid the agent 8% of a year's rent as a letting fee. The tenant turned out to be a big problem and the management of the block made several complains and they threatened to ask their solicitor to take action and charge me all the expenses. I had to give the tenant her notice and she is leaving the flat. I am really upset with the agent for finding me this tenant and charging me almost £900. Is there any way I could get my money back?
Yes, but only if agent has broken the Agency Agreement into which you entered contractually.

[pamo]

Thank you, there is no hope then.

[Poppy]

I suggest that you complain bitterly to the agent that the tenant was unsuitable from the start. I would negotiate a pro-rata refund for the time when the tenant actually leaves until what would have been the tenancy year end.

Obviously use a different regulated agent for your next, better, more well-behaved tenants.

[kayak]

It could have been that the LA fully referenced the T, and did as much as they could have been expected to...

Then again they might not have.

[Paul_f]

I would be asking the agent for documentary evidence of adequate referencing as the agent has a duty of care towards you.