Sincere thanks for your replies. It really is appreciated.

Hello All. My first post and I hoped it wouldn't be a cry for help but that's life. Not an easy one this so any help much appreciated. I received a letter stating that I as a guarantor for my ex-wife should contact my ex-wife who rented a property some months ago to make arrangements to pay for outstanding arrears and repair charges as soon as possible. They included a list of all the charges. On the same day my ex-wife received an almost identical letter asking when will payments be made? The questions I have are these: 1. Should the letting agency have first contacted the ex-tenant to see what payment arrangements they were going to make before contacting me? 2. Can the letting agent demand the money in full either from my ex-wife or from myself or be required to accept monthly payments due to the former tenant not having the full amount to pay in one go? 3. Would 2. discharge any responsibility of the guarantor if such an offer was made by the tenant and payments were made? 4. Should I as guarantor have been given a copy of the original agreement? 5. Is a guarantor liable for letting agent fees such as charges being made to the tenant for correspondence relating to the arrears? 6. If the tenant did not pay the arrears or if the letting agency declined any part payment who would the agency take to court in the first instance - the ex-tenant or the guarantor? 7. Should not the letting agent have had insurance to cover any damage allegedly done by the tenant? Any suggestions as to the next steps to take? Sincere thanks for any advice.