Deducting money without landlord's permission.

[KM L-J]

Is my agent entitled to deduct money from my rent without my permission?


If he has paid a contractor to do work on my property and for whatever reason I instruct him NOT to pay the contractor, where do I stand if he goes right ahead and deducts the money anyway?

If I take this to court will I be told that I must sue the contractor for a refund rather than the agent?


Has the agent actually acted illegally in this or just improperly?


I know from experience that whilst the answer may seem very simple the "Law" may put a different interpretation on it.

Thanks

[mjpl]

I am afraid that your post is far too vague. We need to have some idea of what Terms of Business you have agreed with your agent.

Also, why did you instruct your agent not to pay the contractor?

[KM L-J]

The agent was instructed not to carry out an NICEIC test as one had been done a few weeks previously.

They instructed the test anyway claiming a "new law had been "enforced".

We informed them that we were not prepared to pay for the test as we had not instructed it and already had a certificate.We told them 4 times in writing that they were not to deduct the money.

Thay have deducted the money anyway.

[Paul_f]

You ask if an agent is entitled to deduct money from your rent? Don't you mean your rental income as you appear to be the landlord not the tenant?

In short, the answer is almost certainly "no" and there is no "law" covering what you've posted, only a recommendation, but look at the following thread for more discussion on the subject. Using the search facility will reveal other useful threads, and is a good idea before posting any question:-

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=623

[MrShed]

Lol paul, im sure the poster will have looked at that thread, as he is also the original poster of that thread too :P

[Paul_f]

So the site has some slow learners who need a bit of revision now and again! :D