Flat Lease question

[T-cakes]

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone will be able to help me answer a question I have regarding my current lease for my flat rental.

Not going to use real names so will use substitutes;

I signed a lease for my flat last year, (2014-2015), with a management firm called 'Orange'. Then a few months into the year I get an e-mail from them saying the management firm was now called 'Red', they gave me details for a new bank account and they changed their address too. We were never made/asked to sign a new lease.

There are a few issues regarding notification and rent cropping up right now as I'm preparing to move to another flat and a different management firm. However, my lease is still in the name of the original management firm 'Orange', which now no longer exists. Is the lease still valid in this case?

Any help would be welcome at this point. Thanks.

[Amethyst]

Re: Flat Lease question

Have you spoken to Orange or Red since changing where your payments went to ? ( if you are making payments on the lease that is )

[T-cakes]

Re: Flat Lease question

Yeah, I got an e-mail informing me that they were no longer 'Orange', that they were operating under the name of 'Red' now, and to pay rent into the new account. Since then I have dealt with them during several issues with the flat. I was under the impression that they had just changed there name but that it was still the same people. We weren't asked if we wanted to change firms, nor did we sign a new lease.

They have also broken one of the rules they set by not notifying me 24hrs in advance of someone coming to the flat to show prospective tenants around. I just opened the door one morning and a member of staff and 2 other people were wanting in.

Does that help?

[Amethyst]

Re: Flat Lease question

Yeah, I got an e-mail informing me that they were no longer 'Orange', that they were operating under the name of 'Red' now, and to pay rent into the new account. Since then I have dealt with them during several issues with the flat. I was under the impression that they had just changed there name but that it was still the same people. We weren't asked if we wanted to change firms, nor did we sign a new lease.

They have also broken one of the rules they set by not notifying me 24hrs in advance of someone coming to the flat to show prospective tenants around. I just opened the door one morning and a member of staff and 2 other people were wanting in.

Does that help?

Okay I was just checking that you hadn't been scammed and that you had actually spoken with them since. Can you pm me the name of the companies just so I can check them out a bit make sure its above board.

[Amethyst]

Re: Flat Lease question

The company changed its name and address, rather than closing down and starting a new company. Therefore the original lease is still valid as everything will remain with the company and no transfer to a new company is required.

They have also broken one of the rules they set by not notifying me 24hrs in advance of someone coming to the flat to show prospective tenants around. I just opened the door one morning and a member of staff and 2 other people were wanting in.

Have you discussed this with them ?

[T-cakes]

Re: Flat Lease question

I wanted to know where I stood with the lease before I tried dealing with them. I sent the original e-mail on Weds morning, they only sent the e-mail that has caused all these questions at 4:45pm on Friday so they didn't give us a chance to talk to them before the shut for the weekend.

[dan_1207]

Re: Flat Lease question

When you say 'management firm' are you referring to the management company (i.e. one of the parties in your lease to whom you are likely obliged to pay your service charge) or to the managing agent (who act as agent for and on behalf of the management company, who are likely instructed to carry out the contractual services of the management company (e.g. clean windows, cut grass) and receive payment of your service charge)?

It will help in advising as to the alleged breach of lease for entry notification. I have a good knowledge of leasehold law, so feel free to post up any other questions you might have.