Going it alone

[stockport1965]

We have been with the current agent since 2013 and we are on our 2nd tennant. She has been in the house since 2015 and has kept it immaculate and decorates throughout to a high standard. She even replaces carpets!. We have today had an email from the agent raising their fees from 9% to 12%. They will now also start charging commission for any building works and a few other things. If there is a problem, 9 times out of 10 my husband goes down to sort and we have the usual gas contract for property.
We don't and never have had a contract with the agent. They clarified that with us a couple of months ago, when they failed to sort out a missing tile on the roof and left it to leak over 3 days. This resulted in extra work needing to be done. Anyway.....having spoke to a new agent, we can serve a section 48 on the tenant and request all paperwork (tenancy agreement) to be sent to us.
How hard is it to go alone.
I run my own cleaning business and do all my own accounts and the accountant finalises.

[Berlingogirl]

How hard it is to go it alone depends on how much you know about your responsibilities as a landlord and if you have the time and energy to sort out tenant problems. it sounds like you've got a good tenant at the moment. I'm going it alone (it's just me) and it can be quite stressful sorting out rogue tenants. I'm in court for a 90 minute session sorting out an arrears case - and I'm representing myself and will be in the court on my own. Another tenant has turned the beautiful property I let to them into a s***bin and I'm wondering what to do about it. If you can deal with the legal aspects and the awful things tenants do (read about them on this site) they , yes, go it alone.

[jpkeates]

I was all in favour until the part about the s48 notice (which shouldn't be necessary, as that's for a change of landlord).

[stockport1965]

I was all in favour until the part about the s48 notice (which shouldn't be necessary, as that's for a change of landlord).

Section 48 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 requires that a tenant is provided with an address where notices may be served on the landlord. Before now, she wouldn't have had our address would she?
A Section 48 notice is usually included within the tenancy agreement and this is the easiest way to ensure that all tenants receive the notice.
Having never seen this agreement, I would not know.
There is nothing to stop us using an agent when this tenant moves on. She is absolutely brilliant, I would be sad when she goes.

[jpkeates]

Section 48 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 requires that a tenant is provided with an address where notices may be served on the landlord. Before now, she wouldn't have had our address would she?.

That section applies whether or not an agent is involved, so, if the tenant doesn't have your address, you're in breach already (unless your agent has agreed that they will accept legal notices for you - which they shouldn't).