Martin & Co. Fees - Advice Needed

[pertinky]

Backdrop:

 

Partner had to relocate for job - found her a 2 bedroom apartment for her to move in to and put her as the sole tenant as I wasn't going to be moving with her until I found a new job. Didn't want her paying full council tax.

 

Found a new job and will be starting next month so will be moving in the weekend before the new job starts. I enquired with Martin & Co. about getting my name on the tenancy agreement and they've got back to me asking for £135 for the priviledge. I am shocked.

 

Question is if I don't do this, is my moving in illegal and what action could they take?

 

Thanks in advance.

[MARTIN3030]

Much depends on whats written in the agreement.

£135 sounds a high price to pay for adding you there-you should ask them to substantiate this fee by way of breakdown.

[callumsgran]

Agree with Martin, have a look at girlfriends tenancy agreement.

£135 is steep, most agencies would only charge maybe £50 for this unless they are doing a full credit and reference check at the same time

[pertinky]

Trying to charge me £60 for reference check and £75 for the new agreement. I think its absolutely disgusting especially when there are a list of things they said theyd fix and they havent.

[MrShed]

Are you planning on being there longer than the initial fixed term?

[pertinky]

Nope, it was only ever a short term solution until we settled into our new jobs and then find somewhere more convienient. 9 month tenancy starting in June (negotiated £25 off PCM if we stayed 9 months instead of 6). We are definitely moving in March.

[MrShed]

Well then, your girlfriend is entitled to have a "guest" for as long as she wants.

 

No need for you to be on the tenancy.

 

This action will undoubtedly lead to eviction, but not until expiry of the fixed term.

[pertinky]

Great stuff. Is it a problem I changed all my mail to be sent there though? I didn't have anywhere else to send it when I moved from my last let in June. I've been living in a hotel near the office of my current job since and go back to *her* place for the weekends.

[MrShed]

Makes no difference whatsoever.

[pertinky]

I really despise how most people conduct business and treat customers. They've done nothing to fix the door and the washing machine will break eventually eventhough its just something stuck in the pump i wont touch it its fully managed. The first SNIFF at an opportunity to get a few more quid out of us and they reply almost instantly. Any previous correspondance has been extremely slow.

 

I know my partner will have immense problems when leaving. I suspect ridiculous professional cleaning charges eventhough shes probably the most cleanly person I know.

[MARTIN3030]

Well you are clearly onto this already-so keep your cards close.

[Kentish Lass]

Deposit should have been protected - I assume it was - in which case ll/agent have to prove deductions are justified - was there a proper check-in and inventory done at the beginning of the tenancy (which your partner signed)? If not, damage cannot be proved.

 

Don't forget when you move in, do notify the council and pay the extra council tax. You need to be squeaky clean!!

 

By the way, I think Martin & Co are franchises.

 

Regarding unresolved maintenance - put all in a letter and send. The washing machine problem may be a dodgy one. Does it say on the tenancy agreement that repairs of appliances are the responsibility of the Landlord? Also - if as you say it is "just something stuck in the pump" this would be seen as tenant's fault and tenant would be expected to pay. (Even washing machine warranties exclude this particular problem and owners are liable for charges in respect of dealing with it).

 

The actual responsibility for reps and maint lies with the landlord. The agents may be having problems getting ll's agreement to necessary expenditure.

[Steve__M]

I suspect if you move in then nothing much will happen. Maybe when it comes to renewal you will be asked to go through a credit check before they will add you to the agreement. Eviction seems unlikely unless the landlord does not want two people there (sounds unlikely).

 

As a landlord, the Martin & Co guy I have used before and would use again would on the one hand quite happily take money from me, but on the other hand is pragmatic and avoids making trouble (eg. not pushing the fact that I didn't give him the requisite 2 months' notice when I wanted to stop using him as my agent).

[pertinky]

Yup - I've confirmed the deposit is with a protection agency. We also went through an inventory and made a note of things I would call "damage", as well as added several additional artefacts to it in the first two weeks that we initially missed.

 

It's fully managed and it sets out that appliances are the responsibility of the agency not the landlord. I've actually spoke to the landlord and he has complained to them about their service quite recently regarding the non-action on their part.

 

We reported it the first time the washing machine was used so thats covered.