Help!

Help needed, I am going to tell you a story -

I have been renting out a property for the last year and the tennants are now moving out. I went through an agency to get new tennants in and a month ago they called to say that they had someone, a deposit had been paid and everything was set to go on Monday. I called them today to confirm everything was ok and they inform me that in fact, the new tennant pulled out two weeks ago and in fact hadn't paid a deposit at all. They haven't called me despite knowing this for weeks. Not only that they told me that the tennant wanted it unfurnished so I have moved all my furniture out, sold alot of it and got rid of the rest.

Now with five days before my mortgage is meant to come out I haven't got the money to cover it, the mortgage company can't freeze for a month and I can't move back in as I will lose my deposit on my current place and in fact I'm just not that rich.

Now I really wanna make this company pay, I am, as you can imagine, very angry right now. Do I have a leg to stand on? Who would I go to? What can I do?

Because apart from paying some yardies to petrol bomb the shop I'm at a loss.

My initial thought was to contact a solicitor, this costs more money as I'm sure you are aware as they charge for their advice. Other than that I'm really not in a position to advise you in any way. Good luck and sorry to hear this.

It sounds as if the agency really screwed you on this one.

Citizens Advice Bureau is a good place to start for free advice. Also write a formal letter of complaint to the managing agents and keep a copy on file for your own reference.

Try:

Yahoo! Answers (Law & Ethics)

http://tinyurl.com/d5yhq5

I let properties I own and have had similar problems. But from what I understand the letting agent have lied to you about the deposit? I think you should write a really good, calm letter setting out your problem with this and how it has affected you financially. Threaten to go to another agent.

I doubt you'll get them to pay your mortgage, but they should refund you the finders fee or something, if they have been in the wrong.

Always be prepared for properties to be empty and still pay the mortgage though; I had a flat empty for a couple of months and just had to bite the bullet and pay out.

Quote: Dolly Dagger @ April 22 2009, 3:24 PM BST

I let properties I own and have had similar problems. But from what I understand the letting agent have lied to you about the deposit? I think you should write a really good, calm letter setting out your problem with this and how it has affected you financially. Threaten to go to another agent.

I doubt you'll get them to pay your mortgage, but they should refund you the finders fee or something, if they have been in the wrong.

Always be prepared for properties to be empty and still pay the mortgage though; I had a flat empty for a couple of months and just had to bite the bullet and pay out.

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The fact is I can't afford to pay the mortgage. If I had known two weeks ago when the tennant pulled out I might have been able to source the money from somewhere but with just five day it's not very likely.

Like Mr Carpark said, it pays to get everything in writing and keep records. It would probably cost more than it's worth to pursue legal avenues to get your agent to compensate your loss. Like Mrs Dagger said, write a calm letter.

You could seek advice/solace from a forum for landlords: http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/

Or you could ask for free legal advice if you think the matter is worth pursuing: http://www.lawanswers.co.uk/reception

I can't vouch for lawanswers.co.uk, so the http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/ mentioned by Mr Carpark may be a better way to go.

Quote: Kenneth @ April 22 2009, 3:35 PM BST

Like Mr Carpark said, it pays to get everything in writing and keep records. It would probably cost more than it's worth to pursue legal avenues to get your agent to compensate your loss. Like Mrs Dagger said, write a calm letter.

You could seek advice/solace from a forum for landlords: http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/

Or you could ask for free legal advice if you think the matter is worth pursuing: http://www.lawanswers.co.uk/reception

I can't vouch for lawanswers.co.uk, so the http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/ mentioned by Mr Carpark may be a better way to go.

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Thanks!

Quote: Darren Pomroy @ April 22 2009, 3:31 PM BST

The fact is I can't afford to pay the mortgage. If I had known two weeks ago when the tennant pulled out I might have been able to source the money from somewhere but with just five day its not very likely.

View original

Bummer, but tut tut, you should always have contingency money . I've had to pay out for a new boiler this year and a vacant period, nasty but it's part of the game.

My faith is restored! The estate agents on realising their mistakes and the legths I was willing to go have offered to pay my mortgage for me. This is in fact jolly decent of them.

Quote: Dolly Dagger @ April 22 2009, 4:11 PM BST

Bummer, but tut tut, you should always have contingency money . I've had to pay out for a new boiler this year and a vacant period, nasty but it's part of the game.

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Contingency money? Never heard of it.

Aren't you about 18....?

Quote: Darren Pomroy @ April 22 2009, 4:24 PM BST

My faith is restored! The estate agents on realising their mistakes and the legths I was willing to go have offered to pay my mortgage for me. This is in fact jolly decent of them.

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Result! Looks like you owe Mrs Dagger lunch for her free legal advice.

Quote: zooo @ April 22 2009, 4:28 PM BST

Aren't you about 18....?

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I wish! Twenty Two and counting!

Quote: Kenneth @ April 22 2009, 4:30 PM BST

Result! Looks like you owe Mrs Dagger lunch for her free legal advice.

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I do indeed, anywhere you would like to go Miss Dagger?

Which estate agent are you with? They seem unfeasibly nice.
(unless of course you're joking. Can't tell.)

Please do let us know the outcome of all this mate.