Urgent-Agent suddenly changes its company name

[ishefromgabon]

Thanks for viewing this msg. I have just received a post letter from my current letting agent, that they are changing the name of the company to another one from beginning of next Month. the letter is asking me to pay the rent to a completely different account.

Should the whole contract need to re-signed? It seemed it's way too simple to just ask me to pay the money to an different bank account which is not included in the contract.

I feel it is quite suspicious, so if anyone could help to advise me on that would be much appreciated.

Best Regards

GF

[jta]

Before you do anything else I suggest you find out where your deposit is. It sounds as if this company has folded and re-opened under a different name with a new bank account. Does your landlord know of this? Is the company a member of ARLA or similar?

You can ask for your landlords address from the agent, they have to give it to you within 14 days, failure to do so is a criminal offence.

[theartfullodger]

Agree with jta...

Until Landlord confirms that he agrees I would not put money into any new account. Your contract is between you & the landlord: The agent is just that, his agent..

It's probably all above board but, just to be safe, I'd suggest a wee check before waving goodbye to £££££s to some unknown bank account...

[ishefromgabon]

Cheers guys for your replies.

The landlord is living aboard, I haven't had contact with him before. But I think to ask for the confirmation from the landlord and then amend the contract under the new name would be the wise things to do...

any other suggestions? Thanks very much

GF

[leaseholdanswers]

In the absence of the landlord you can ask the new agent/agency to send a letter from their solicitors confirming the merger and that they are still appointed by the client.

In the meantime confirm that you have put your rent into a seperate account (shows goodwill and so you wont spend it) ready to make payment on reply and are not witholding rent simply requiring independant confirmation that they are required to pay to them as agent. This letter of authority is not uncommon.

In these times and with the few cowboys its worth checking.

[theartfullodger]

Cheers guys for your replies.

The landlord is living aboard, I haven't had contact with him before.

a) Do you have an address in England&Wales to "serve notices" on him?? (If not rent ain't due (!!!)[Landlord & tenant Act 1987, Section 48]. If that address is old agent, think something needs sorting...

b) Is he certificated by HMRC under non-resident scheme?? If not you or agent should be withholding 25% (ish) rent for the tax man.. see
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/nr_landlords.htm

[Poppy35]

I would suggest you try and contact the Landlord first to etablish this is correct.

Also ensure that the new company are registered with a deposit protection scheme and that your deposit will still be protected.

I would suggest that you cancel your standing order to the current firm, wait till they change their name and then pay your rent to new company at this time if you feel unsure.

Have you any reason to doubt their integrity?

[jeffrey]

If a limited/unlimited company merely changes its name, it retains its identity unchanged. This identity is best fixed on its company registration number, the only true constant. Apart from compliance with notification requirements, the change has no impact at all on ownership/contracts/rights.

[Moderator1]

Two threads by the same member have been merged here. Please do not start a new thread if you merely wish to continue a previous discussion or report on subsequent developments. It can cause unnecessary confusion (quite apart from losing the connection with facts previously established or legal points previously explained).

[dominic]

Hold on, why do you (T) need to sign a new contract with the agent?

Your landlord hasn't changed, has he?

What does your tenancy agreement (the contract between you and LL) say about where to pay the rent?