Updating post from Reddit.
So I had a new tenancy start in August, I pay for an agent to do all of the managing of the property and they emailed me on the date the tenancy was to start to state that the smoke alarms were missing.
They said they could install them that day. I confirmed and in the following days received invoice from the gas/plumber which was then taken out of my rent by the agency for 2x smoke alarms.
Today I've received inspection report and it looks like no smoke alarm installation was ever done. So it looks like the agency have started a tenancy without any installed smoke alarms & charged me for the smoke alarms that were never installed.
Smoke alarms & CO alarms is one thing I don't ever like messing around with as peoples lives depend on them so right now I'm extremely angry that the tenant has been without them for 4 months.
Do you know whether there is any capability for me to end my agency management agreement due to their incompetence being a severe safety hazard?
Another reason why landlords SHOULD NOT USE AGENTS!
There is a mistake somewhere. the inspection person couldn’t find them.
Have you asked the agent to confirm what took place? Many contractors (especially good ones) take photos before and after any works as documented proof in the event of a dispute or issue later down the line. You could ask if the contractor has these to hand. Based on their response, you can then raise a complaint.
To end your agreement, you'd have to check your agreement first to see if there are any steps that you'd need to go through first, i.e. complaints.
I mean at any rate the agency should surely be confirming that works being carried out are actually being carried out.
I pay them 23% of my rent monthly for a "Premium" service which is horrendous to get this level of service.
I've emailed them so will see how they respond.
Oh, absolutely. Couldn't agree with you more.
But best ensure they have a chance to screw themselves over first.
I've just noticed they also haven't done the gas safety inspection by the deadline & they've taken pictures and said that the smoke alarm testing was "passed" on the move in date using the old alarms. They've charged me and I've paid for the gas safety inspection too (with the same contractor).
They told me the old alarms needed "replacing" but didn't specify a reason.
Starting to think its a bit of a con.
I would definitely phrase as "I've noticed these discrepancies. Please elaborate."
Then you can start escalating as necessary.
Never reveal your next stage. You also have their adjudicator body (usually the property ombudsman) as the final recourse.
Why on earth are you paying 23% of your rent to your agent?
Are you aware your tenant can pay you direct and you can call the same tradesmen to do the work?
And that you won’t have the agents commission ontop of those works?
I live in Asia so its mainly been about not having to faff about with trying to get work done in UK on an 8 hour time difference.
I live 200 miles away from my properties. Whilst I’m in the same time zone, everything is booked via whats app or email and over a few days. Eg, I message plumber to ask if he can do gas safety in next 3 weeks. He gives me a date and then I suggest it to tenant via text.
Time zone is irrelevant unless you need to have virtual meetings to see each other.
It does when you have to call people and either suck up international rate charges and have no internet connection because you're on a remote island beach in the pacific and there's a flood and the tenant doesn't know where the water mains is even though you've told him 4 times already lol
I would also use an agent in your shoes.
But probably not the one you are currently using.
Sound out another agent, you can use the price you're paying as a negotiating tool (I bet you could get it for less than 23%). I went from a pretty dreadful agent who simply didn't do a lot of the things I was paying them for, to an excellent one.
In your shoes I would just give them a month's notice, regardless of what is in your contract. There is enough in your favour in this situation that I highly doubt they will take you to small claims court to attempt to recover whatever it is you theoretically owe them by leaving early.
I still think I could counter that.
I create a dummy guide of absolutely everything and take videos.
In case of emergency, call 999. In case of repair required, email or text me.
If you’re up for a challenge, try allocate 1 week to pre creating guides and pre empting questions. Lay down the rules and points of contact. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Let’s face it, scum agents are not helping you. Don’t assume the next agent will treat you any better.