How important is the agent?

**TykeMerc** · 30 March 2015, 09:28

I suppose the question is, can you contact the actual landlord of the new place if you don't trust their agent? If the answer to that is no then you've no options, deal with their agent or walk away.

**scooterscot** · 30 March 2015, 09:32

Originally posted by SimonMac View Post

I confess a misleading title, I am on about letting agents.

I am both a tenant and a landlord, I let my house directly to the tenant no agent involved, go through a major chain when it comes to the place I am letting, either sides of the same coin have so far been seamless.

On the same boat, landlord and tenant. Sacked the agent a few months ago as a result of a number of small issues including failing to pass the rent on to me for two months in a row. they're currently threatening me with the small claims court arguing I'm using 'their' tenant.

Originally posted by SimonMac View Post

Now my heart is saying as long as the contract is legit, and deposit in a registered scheme everything else is just a hassle if things go wrong, if I can rent my house out directly why can't someone else, but then again this site has made me mistrusting of any agent!

I've long given up on the idea the deposit would cover any meaningful damage. That's what landlord insurance is for, the cost of which I price into the rent. Here in Germany a deposit is meaningful, 3-4 months of the rent, whereas in the UK you are talking a month, which would get swallowed up soon as blink.

Your original question for me is a problem because of the distance. I'd be happy to do without, as is currently, but I need to make sure the house is being looked after. So I maintain the tenant helps me with this and in return I make sure he has no issues. That works.

Notwithstanding this relationship, please dear god someone come up with a scheme before another annoying San Francisco tech startup comes up with an idea where landlords look after each others properties for a small fee.

**Platypus** · 30 March 2015, 09:52

Originally posted by scooterscot View Post

Their currently ...

You're original question

Scooter, seriously, you should learn correct usage/spelling of their/there/they're and your/you're it would improve your writing no end.

**TykeMerc** · 30 March 2015, 09:57

Originally posted by Platypus View Post

Scooter, seriously, you should learn correct usage/spelling of their/there/they're and your/you're it would improve your writing no end.

Been pointed out repeatedly with no changes, it's either a Gittins Gal style affectation to get a reaction or he really is an illiterate moron.

**scooterscot** · 30 March 2015, 10:14

Originally posted by Platypus View Post

Scooter, seriously, you should learn correct usage/spelling of their/there/they're and your/you're it would improve your writing no end.

it's not a question of education, just lazy

Amendments complete. Not looking forward to this year's report card.

**vwdan** · 30 March 2015, 10:38

Originally posted by TykeMerc View Post

I suppose the question is, can you contact the actual landlord of the new place if you don't trust their agent? If the answer to that is no then you've no options, deal with their agent or walk away.

Agreed - if you have to deal with the agent day to day then I'd say it's critically important. Our agency have been great - the only time they let us down was when the shower broke. They promised someone would come and then the guy cancelled at 4:00pm just before a bank holiday weekend - I called up, explained I was going to get a like for like from B&Q and invoice them. I did so and they paid with no qualms.

I'd hate to have to do all that with a crappy agent.

How important is the agent?