OLIVER-KNIGHTS Letting and Managing Agents | Discuss

Dear Adam,

I would suggest that you contact the tenants directly, as I did,  and advise them of the situation regarding the possible closure of Oliver-Knights due to fraudulence. The company recently withdraw a large amount of money from their bank account and are now barely solvent. Instruct your tenants to pay the rental into your personal bank account, terminate your mandate with Oliver-Knights immediately and forward a copy to your tenant and then appoint new agents. You have been more fortunate than me. I paid Oliver-Knights an upfront 3 year commission on a rental contract (that has only run for 10 months) and have subsequently discovered that I have a tenant in my apartment placed there with a false AST about whom I know nothing, she is claiming she settled a deposit with Oliver-Knights and is attempting to hold me responsible for it and the actual corporate company with whom I thought I had the 3 year lease, and whose credit references were forwarded to me for approval, are denying responsibility for that contract citing unknown signatures on the lease. Ditto regarding the names and signatures on the false AST signed by Oliver-Knights on my alleged behalf with the tenant in my apartment. I never give agents any authority to sign contracts on my behalf. 

I'm sure that as more people realise that they have been swindled we shall get more posts. 

I find your response not only emotionally dramatic but rather unhelpful. I would have prefered you addressing the matter under discussion. And that is Oliver-Knights, a UK based realty agency who appear to be going bankrupt as a result of fraudulent activity. For example would you know of a regulatory organisation in the UK this may be reported to? There can be no doubt, that as this company manages a large portfolio of property, that many more Landlords are going to find themselves victim to this fraudulence. In my country (South Africa) we have an Estate Agencies Board who investigates and punishes rogue organisations. I would appreciate information on a similar Board in the UK if such exists.

Since purchasing my properties some years ago, they have been managed by exemplary Agents ie Foxtons and Life Residential about whom I cannot complain. Your response would have me believe that all managing agents should be suspect and that is not only a slur on those who aren't but a slur on the UK industry as a whole. As a non UK resident, unfamiliar with the regulations that pertain to property ownership and the rental thereof (although I'm fast learning) it has been extremely advantageous having professionals in the property market advise me and coach me as to my rights. 

I take no issue in paying an agent to manage my investments on a day to day basis but I am an extremely "hands on" owner who remains keenly aware of this management. Thus I was able to address the Oliver-Knights non payment of my August rental by contacting the tenant and having her pay me directly and terminating the contract with Oliver-Knights immediately. Up to and until that date, I had not experienced any problems with the company.

I will now be handing the management of this property to Foxtons again. 

I firmly believe that Landlord Referencing plays a vital role in protecting the "buy-to-let" investor in the UK. It is an industry unfairly in support of the rights of a tenant over that of an owner and your organisation is, I think, one of only two who give a voice to owners like myself, and assistance in vetting tenants. Frankly, the UK remains far behind SA in protecting the rights of owners but hopefully this may be improved upon as more of us join organisations like yours to lobby for salient change.

I can assure you that I did research this company in May 2014 and found no adverse reviews or information on them. They had also been in business for some years and it is only recently that they appear to be embroiled in fraud.

Would you perhaps know of a government organisation this matter may be reported to if I  am a non UK resident?

Oliver-Knights may, or have, appropriated tenant deposits and this needs exposing and investigation. 

Thank you.

I have forwarded this information on to my tenant as, although I have requested proof from her regarding to whom she paid a deposit, this information has not been provided.

As a Landlord I will not be held responsible for allegations of financial transactions that cannot be verified.

Again thank you. You have provided me with much needed information.

At this stage I am equally concerned as to the validity of the present tenant's occupation of my property, especially as she has avoided supplying me with any information regarding her deposit and secondly, any information on herself. My original contract with Tulip Hotels is the one all the credit information was supplied for regarding my approval for their uptake of my property. 

I have every intention of insisting my new managing agents re-negotiate a rental contract with this tenant if her credit history indicates a tenant of good standing. 

Should she prove reluctant to agree to this proposal I will contact a Solicitor.

Dear Paul Barret,

I own property in more countries than South Africa and the UK and am supremely confident in my ability to not only negotiate the rates by which I buy, sell or rent property but I also negotiate the management fees to an amount I consider acceptable for the expertise and advice offered. I can assure you I do not pay anywhere near the percentage you have quoted. Perhaps you need to make yourself au fait with present charges? It would be extremely naive of me to believe I could operate as a stand alone in the quagmire of protocol required by the UK authorities as a non-resident Landlord. To date, and in 6 years of UK property ownership I have not lost any rental money and the capital appreciation has been most satisfactory. Perhaps you would like to tender an apology  for describing me as foolish? 

Furthermore, I have coached the agents I have used, to provide me with the same standard of credit checks I insist on in South Africa. They may have baulked in the beginning but I believe they now understand the very justifiable demands I make. On the one occasion a tenant vacated earlier due to becoming unemployed, my finders fee for the second was reduced by the amount of the early vacate. 

I like to consider myself as a professional "buy-to-let" investor. And I conduct that business accordingly. Therefore utilising the expertise of professionals in the market and paying for that service in order to attract A-grade tenants, is of paramount importance to me. The "do it yourself" version of landlording may be agreeable to you, but it isn't to me. I delegate if possible. 

I've contained the damage of Oliver-Knights without loss to myself and did so within one week of my original call to them. 

The existing tenant is not only fully up to date with her rental but I've confirmed with the relevant utility departments that she is also up to date with those accounts including Council Tax. 

I'm extremely pleased at having rid myself of Oliver-Knights and placing my property once again with a managing agent I trust. 

I see this topic has had 10 000 hits. Landlord Referencing has my appreciation for providing a platform for discussion that can inform other interested parties on issues that need this type of exposure.

All of us gain if knowledge can be shared.

I appreciate the advice regarding a Management and Letting Agency and shall certainly consider such if the necessity presents itself.

You do realise of course that it is UK based Landlords and Tenants who have been most affected by the recent activities of Oliver-Knights? Prior to this matter they appear to have operated without cause for complaint. 

As a non UK resident I am coerced into employing an agency to manage my properties. I would not wish to fall foul of the law through ignorance of the draconian regulations that pertain to the "buy-to-let" investor. I negotiate a fee around 6% for this service. This cost assures me "peace of mind".

In South Africa I manage all my properties, both residential and commercial, personally, simply because I am au fait with the sector. 

I once again thank you and Wolf Enforcement Services for your assistance.