Letting Agents harass T on acquired already-let property

[amiharrow]

Hi

I have recently bought a property, where I have allowed the existing tenants to continue renting the property.

The problem is the letting agents are hassling the tenants to move out - please note I do not have a relationship with the Letting Agents.

I have informed the Letting Agents that I am happy to allow the existing tenants to continue living in the property, however they are saying that as they found the tenants they are due a fee.

Is this correct?

[jeffrey]

Are the Letting Agents:
a. yours; or
b. ones whom you 'inherited' from V?

Either way, you are in charge; they are not. Tell them so.

[amiharrow]

Thanks Jeffrey

I do not have any contract with the Letting Agents. They were given notice by the Vendor as Managing Agents a few months ago, and did not approach me to continue the relationship. I had phoned them to ask them to stop hassling my tenants as I had already allowed the tenants to stay in the property, at which time the Agents tried to convince me to pay a finding fee for the tenants.

[mind the gap]

Refuse to pay them any money. They may have had such an arrangement with the previous owner of the property, but as you say you have signed no contract with them and you owe them nothing.

Just say 'Foxtons' to them!;) If they persist, tell them to sue you for it. I am pretty sure they will get absolutely nowhere. They are just trying it on.

Anyone disagree?

[dominic]

Unless the agency agreement with the previous owner/LL was "novated" (i.e. you inherited the obligations of the agency agreement from ex-owner), which is unlikely, you have no contract with them, and nor do the tenants.

You owe them nothing, and they probably know it.

Tell them to take a hike.

Also inform your tenants that their tenure is quite safe (assuming you are happy with the LL/T relationship), and that the demands of the agent are toothless.