agent - not informed me of non payment of rent.

[mjm295]

Hi All

House is in the UK, but I currently live in Australia. I am paying for a fully managed service. I posted on here before Christmas, because my first tenants had completely ignored terms in the contract, and caused damage and I wanted rid of them. Anyhow I agreed that the easiest thing to do was let them find somewhere else and agree a moving out date between ourselves, with out getting heavy handed.

We agreed move out date is this weekend (2nd March). In previous months I have had the statement of rent and and money in my account by around the 20th of the month. I made it clear to the agent that I fully expect these people to clear off without paying and to please keep me informed. They said don't worry we will charge them up to the 2nd March.

So it is now the 27th and there is no sign of the statement or money for February, nor has the agent been in touch to say they have not paid. There is a 1 month bond that was paid, however, I know that this will no where near cover the damage that has been done, but I cannot clarify this until they are out.

Am I expecting too much of the agent?
Should they have let me know that the rent was not paid?
I have emailed them, and await their reply.

Sorry for posting before I have a reply from the agent, this is some what just to get things of my chest, I;m not happy with the way the agent has handled things at all.

Thanks for reading
Mark

[Bel]

If you asked to be kept informed then really they should.

The problem is you are stuck in Oz and its hard to kick butt for a long distance, or instruct a new agent for that matter.

All I can suggest is that you keep communicating with them and keep asking questions and be clear about your expectations. Ask them for specific feedback by a certain date whether the news is good or bad, so that communciation is not specific on something happening/not happening.

If you need to claim more money off the tenants to cover damage, you may need to do it through the courts. The Agency may not cover this aspect in their service.

[mjm295]

just been fobbed off, she has said she will forward my query to the accounts dept. There are about 3 or 4 of them in the office, wouldn't it have been easier to just shout over the desk?

[mjm295]

Just spoken to the agents, the tenants have not moved out as agreed. I should have put a notice on them. I am an idiot.

They are also refusing to pay rent, saying they cant afford it.

What are my options? What is the quickest way of getting rid of them?

[jeffrey]

Just spoken to the agents, the tenants have not moved out as agreed. I should have put a notice on them. I am an idiot.

They are also refusing to pay rent, saying they cant afford it.

What are my options? What is the quickest way of getting rid of them?
Serving Notice under s.8 (if there are grounds) or s.21 or both.

[mjm295]

Thanks Jeffery, I need to look up what s8 and s21 are.

Now what can I do about these agents?

I have been paying for a full managed service. But they have been crap, always fobbing us off with excuses. Not interested that the house was damaged. Now when we have chased about things, they are saying: Oh the bond will cover the missing rent, Oh the bond will cover the damage. Well firstly that's not what the bond is for, and secondly the missing rent is already more than the bond never mind the damage.

[jeffrey]

Thanks JeffREy, I need to look up what s8 and s21 are.

Now what can I do about these agents?

I have been paying for a full managed service. But they have been crap, always fobbing us off with excuses. Not interested that the house was damaged. Now when we have chased about things, they are saying: Oh the bond will cover the missing rent, Oh the bond will cover the damage. Well firstly that's not what the bond is for, and secondly the missing rent is already more than the bond never mind the damage.
What does the signed Agency Agreement provide about termination?