22 Oct 2008 12:00 AM:
On the Monday of last week I had an agenct bring a client who was moving from The Czech Republic to the Costa del Sol. They were looking to rent my villa for 11 months. The client absolutely loved it but wanted to move in as soon as possible.
The agent called me almost as soon as they had left my house to ask me for all my details so that we could get the contract sorted.
I sent all my details but told the agent that I needed references from the tenant. I also contacted my lawyer and told him a few of the things I wanted added to the contract. He was very quick as I was leaving for the short trip back to the UK on Thursday evening.
The agent continually called me insisting that I sign the contract without receiving any money as the tenant needed the contract to prove to his bank why he needed to transfer such a large sum of money. I informed the agent that I would not sign any contract without money changing hands. My lawyer also backed me up on this. Around two hours before I was due to leave after my lawyer had spent hours on the phone to the agent we managed to agree that we would sign the contract today and exchnge two months deposit. The first months rent would be due on the 1st November when we handed the keys over.
At no point did the agent get the tenants passport (apparently it had been stolen) nor take a reservation deposit. or see the references!
Today the agent has called me informing me that they cannot get hold of the tenant, he is not answering his telephone and they do not know where he is!!!! In fact he isnt going to sign
Does anyone know the correct procedue by an agent? I now have to pay my lawyers fees plus find a new tenant. Do I have any rights to claim my lawyers fees back from the agents seeing as they messed up?
Thread:
What are the rules and procedures when a tenant is found?
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