Getting rid of the Agent

We rent our place through Foxtons.  The owner is thoroughly fed up with them, as they weren't forthright about their fees.  (They said the first year would be 11%, the second 6%... but now they want 11% for the second year, too.)

So, he told them to give us notice to vacate. 

Of course, he doesn't want us to actually leave.  So, my question(s)...

Will he get into any trouble for ditching them?  I've heard very bad things about Foxtons, but only from the renter's end.

From our end, it should be simple... receive the damage deposit, give it to the owner directly... sign off on the inventory (which Foxtons didn't attend in the first place)...

Correct?  Anything else to worry about?  I've gone from direct to managed rentals before, but not the other way around.

Whether he has any problems getting rid of Foxtons depends on the terms of his contract with them.

I would be a bit worried he has told Foxtons to give you notice to quit. When they come to do the inventory check they will want to see the place without all your stuff in it, and what if they don't give all your deposit back? Your landlord should really be up front with them and tell them he's not using their services any more, it's between him & them.

It would be a good idea to get a new agreement drawn up and signed before going down this route, but if they are changing the rules of their initial agreement then he is within his rights to ditch them and there shouldn't be a problem for him or you.

Vicky

Britwife, you have a point, for sure.  We can put a few things in boxes if the agent visits.  (And heck, we're not really unpacked yet.. it won't be hard.)

Foxtons didn't do an initial inventory, though.  They have no idea what was in the house.  We waited for them to show up... and eventually gave up.  We sent them a list of stuff that was already damaged, but that was it.  Not sure why they'd bother coming around for the exit inventory.

Otherwise, I'm  more comfortable with a verbal agreement for the next 6 months or so.  In Canada, a verbal agreement is better than a written contract... although I've never had to use the protections it gives.  Not sure how it works here, but I'm pretty sure the Common Law comes from the UK.

Thanks, all!

If you have no written contract with your landlord you will have the minimum statutory and common law protection, which is what most landlords write into a contract anyway. Presuming you will be handing over your deposit money to the landlord after 1st April, make sure he has joined one of those new tenenacy deposit schemes, compulsory from this date in England & Wales. (there's another thread about it if you need more info).

hiya!

Foxtons are a large operation and no doubt they do provide a good service 'most' of the time. However like any large company, there's always a proportion of problems etc and I remember about 2 years ago, they had ALOT of bad press in the rentals section of the Gumtree from miffed renters. As this instance it appears they're giving the landlord the run around, you may be able to contact the landlord directly and see if you can do some sort of deal with him to dispose of foxtons in the best way whilst allowing you to stay/live and have a deal with the landlord directly. If i was that landlord, I'd be well up for a direct let rather than dealing with an agent.

Hopefully you wont have to move out, but if during the extraction of foxtons during the process you have to move, maybe temporary accomodation in a nearby B&B with your stuff in storage might help? - bit of an upheaval I know, but surely less than being asked to vacate and having nowhere else or just as problematic other place? - just a thought!

Good luck !

DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Dennis, it's the owner who proposed to let to us directly.  We don't mind one way or another; we should be leaving the UK in October... and we're not getting a discount for the direct let.

Looking at the ads today, there are a load of places bigger and cheaper than what we have, even on a weekly basis.  It may be easier for us to up sticks.  (Except for having just planted a bunch of stuff in the garden. Argh..)

Just found out something crazy.  The 11% fee Foxtons charges is their 'finders fee'.  Nothing else!  What the heck do they charge if you need them to actually manage your place?

Are those rates normal here?  (And no, they say they aren't coming to do a final inspection.)

We pay 5% to our agent in Japan, and she does everything: schedules the gardener and cleaners, has stuff fixed, finds tenants, does inspections　and sends us photos... and calls whenever there's a problem.  No 'finders fee' unless she has to get a tenant through another agency. 

Hi Madeira,

The 'quicker' you deal directly with the landlord the better!

You are lucky that the landlord is offering to deal with you directly, it's 'relatively' rare in the bigger picture of 'rental' things.

Foxtons, I never have nor never will use them or any other company like them (unless certain situations need it etc) - I'm sure overall they do do a good job, and especially when finding places for new arrivals into the country - but as ever, extra charges always creep in so keep your eyes open !

Since you've mentioned Japan, I'll be evaluating it as a place to possibly invest more than likely later on once I (hopefully) build up a portfolio. I'm currently 'wary' of countries where I'd need to learn/know of a different language as it raises the possiblity of being taken for a ride - however in it's favour, there are many Japanese/English speakers so it might be less of an issue.

Cheers! DtM West London & Slough UK!