Letting agency want us to renew lease.

viper006

Apologies in advance if this has been posted before. Ive seen similar threads but circumstances seemed abit different.

Basically we are renting a house for the last 13 months. The lease expired last month but we got a call from the letting agency today saying we have to sign another 12 month lease if we want to stay on.

We happy out in the property but may well look to move on in the summer giving the correct notice of course. Do we have to sign another lease again as i believed we were under no obligation to as we there over 12 months?

any advice greatly appreciated.

Penny Tration

You're now on a part 4 tenancy, so do not have to renew the lease.

ted1

They probably lose out on commission if you don't sign.

viper006

thanks for that. Thats exactly what i believed was the case as well.

When the agents ring back tomorrow i know they will start insisting signing the lease and will threaten afew things too no doubt. I just wanted to make sure of our rights before the call.

djimi

You have no legal obligation to sign a lease if you do not want to, and there is nothing that can do to make you.

Just be a bit wary in case they start trying to exercise some of the part 4 clauses that allow them to terminate a tenancy. If they start talking about the owner wanting to move back in or the house being put up for sale or something like that then it might be an idea to have a chat with the landlord (whos details you should have been provided with) and explain to them that you do not wish to sign a further signed lease and are they are they aware of what the agent has been saying to you.

djimi

viper006 wrote: »

thanks for that. Thats exactly what i believed was the case as well.

When the agents ring back tomorrow i know they will start insisting signing the lease and will threaten afew things too no doubt. I just wanted to make sure of our rights before the call.

Let us know what they say; Id be interested to hear the kind of thing they will come out with to try and make you sign the lease!

The_Morrigan

OP also remember that under Part 4 the notice periods for termination may be different to what is in your lease.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/renting_a_home/types_of_tenancy.html

Doop

Alternately you could agree to sign under the condition of a break clause being inserted (generally at the six month mark). You could make up something regarding possible re-location of work etc.

Let us know how you get on.

D3PO

As others have said you have no legal obligation to sign and are entitled to stay on as part 4 tenants.

Point this out to them and if they try and give you any Bull stating otherwise just laugh at them and tell them you will be complaining to the relevant bodies about their lack of professionalism and knowledge in their area of expertise.

viper006

djimi wrote: »

You have no legal obligation to sign a lease if you do not want to, and there is nothing that can do to make you.

Just be a bit wary in case they start trying to exercise some of the part 4 clauses that allow them to terminate a tenancy. If they start talking about the owner wanting to move back in or the house being put up for sale or something like that then it might be an idea to have a chat with the landlord (whos details you should have been provided with) and explain to them that you do not wish to sign a further signed lease and are they are they aware of what the agent has been saying to you.

We have a great business relationship with the landlord directly. I know he is happy out having us as tenants and we keep the house well and dont bother him. I dont think the landlord even knows the agency is looking for another lease, they claim its "their policy to keep valid updated leases on file".

_Kaiser_

viper006 wrote: »

We have a great business relationship with the landlord directly. I know he is happy out having us as tenants and we keep the house well and dont bother him. I dont think the landlord even knows the agency is looking for another lease, they claim its "their policy to keep valid updated leases on file".

They can have whatever policies they like but that doesn't mean you're necessarily under any legal obligation to accommodate them (as you're not in this case)

I'd probably have a chat to the landlord if it were me and let him know what's going on seeing as he's the one who has to pay these clowns.

D3PO

well Viper point out to them that their policy is illegal and Id go as far as to point out to them your aware their policy only exists so that they can get a relet fee out of the LL.

Send them off with their tail between their legs. EA's are scum of the earth and I hate how they try and lie like this for their own ends.

djimi

It just goes to show how shockingly unregulated these companies are though.

blacklilly

djimi wrote: »

It just goes to show how shockingly unregulated these companies are though.

It would be an idea to to aquaint yourself with the PSRA before you mention about this sector being unregulated.

D3PO

blacklilly wrote: »

It would be an idea to to aquaint yourself with the PSRA before you mention about this sector being unregulated.

Are you for real ? Its beyond hilarity that you think the PSRA do anything or cause even one iota of fear within the sector.

The word toothless doesn't even begin to describe them.

Show me a case where they have stripped a licence or handed out a hefty fine ....

djimi

blacklilly wrote: »

It would be an idea to to aquaint yourself with the PSRA before you mention about this sector being unregulated.

Im aware that they exist, but they dont appear to be doing a lot given the kind of stories of this nature that you hear quite regularly about letting agents.

blacklilly

djimi wrote: »

Im aware that they exist, but they dont appear to be doing a lot given the kind of stories of this nature that you hear quite regularly about letting agents.

Take one guess as to why that's the case?

People are quicker to come onto fourums like this then to lodge complaints with the relevant aithorities, in this case the PSRA.

For so long people complained about the industry not being regulated, now it is regulated and people continue to complain.

They are a Regulatory Authority, use them when required, simple as.

blacklilly

D3PO wrote: »

Are you for real ? Its beyond hilarity that you think the PSRA do anything or cause even one iota of fear within the sector.

The word toothless doesn't even begin to describe them.

Show me a case where they have stripped a licence or handed out a hefty fine ....

Do you work in this sector?

I can assure you that the introduction of the PSRA has been a welcomed addition to me and the compay I work for.
Now if you have an issue with a property service provider, bring it to the attention of the PSRA.

D3PO

blacklilly wrote: »

Take one guess as to why that's the case?

People are quicker to come onto fourums like this then to lodge complaints with the relevant aithorities, in this case the PSRA.

For so long people complained about the industry not being regulated, now it is regulated and people continue to complain.

They are a Regulatory Authority, use them when required, simple as.

This is completely disingenuous. Yes of course many people don't make official complaints but those that do never have any meaningful conclusions to them.

Like I said Ive never heard of any EA losing their license or being fined heavily for serious conduct breaches. Perhaps you would be so kind as to show me otherwise.

The_Morrigan

Folks can you please get back on topic.

If you wish to debate the PSRA by all means start a new thread.

D3PO

blacklilly wrote: »

Do you work in this sector?

I can assure you that the introduction of the PSRA has been a welcomed addition to me and the compay I work for.
Now if you have an issue with a property service provider, bring it to the attention of the PSRA.

Anybody can pay lipservice and welcome the addition of such an authority. Why wouldn't EA's welcome the PSRA.

They are toothless and now EA's can hid behind their regulator and point to their lack of sanctions as to how well the industry is run. :rolleyes:

Having a regulator doesn't mean things are being managed right. Just look at the banks ....

zac8

Same thing happened to me a few years ago and when I told the agent I wasn't legally required to sign a new lease they contacted the landlord and told him I was trouble I had a great relationship with him so he knew they were full of it and ditched them to deal directly with me.