Landlord guide
Can I change letting agents during a tenancy?
Yes. The tenancy agreement is between you and the tenant, not you and the agent, so changing agents does not affect the tenant's right to stay. You will need to check your current agent's notice period, arrange for the deposit to move to the new scheme protector if needed, and tell the tenant who to pay and contact from the changeover date. Most switches complete within a few weeks once notice has been served.
What actually changes
The tenancy agreement stays valid. Only the management arrangement changes, so rent collection, maintenance and communication move to the new agent while the tenant's rights and rent stay the same.
Check your current contract first
Look for the notice period and any exit or termination fees before you tell your current agent you are leaving. Most agreements need one to three months' notice in writing.
Handling the deposit and paperwork
If the deposit is protected by the outgoing agent's scheme, it may need to move to the new agent's scheme, or it can often stay registered as it is if you manage this correctly. Ask both agents to confirm the process.
- Confirm which deposit protection scheme holds the funds
- Get keys, files and the tenant's contact details from the old agent
- Set a clear changeover date and tell the tenant in writing
Telling your tenant
A short letter or email is enough. Tell the tenant the new agent's name, contact details and where to send future rent from the changeover date.
Worked example
A landlord on a 12% + VAT agreement gives one month's notice and switches to Caso Portfolio at 5% + VAT. On £1,200 monthly rent, that is a saving of around £72 + VAT a month, with no setup fee to start the new agreement.
