Renter - new owner but no contact

Hi,

new here and I'm a renter. Bit of an odd one but 2 weeks ago we got a letter from our agent saying that as of March 7 we need to stop paying rent to them as they will no longer be managing agent. The letter talked about water meter reads and that lead us to believe the property had been sold rather than the owner changing agents.

A quick phone call to the agency and they confirmed that this was believed to be the case. The house was for sale for 2 months back in September and October but then the owner removed it from the market.

So we think maybe a close friend or relative of theirs bought it.

The thing is....on the 7th I need to pay rent. We have no letter stating whom to nor do the current agents know who will be taking it over. All they know is that as of the 7th they cease being the agent.

So I find this all a little odd. No one has come to our home to introduce themselves, the owner doesn't respond to my messages about whom I should be paying rent to this week.

I'm a bit lost really.

Has anyone else done this or experienced this ?

My 2nd issue I have is about my personal details. I gave those to the agent whom I signed up with with my knowledge them and the current owner would only have them. What position do I have about them handing my details over to possibly someone I don't know....worse....someone I may not like or get along with (we live in small community where we are)

Is there any Free way to find out if the house I am renting recently sold ? or is that only recorded on settlement day ?

 

I see your location is Adelaide.

As per Section 48 of the SA Act, the new owner's AND their agent's details will be provided to you. Hopefully soon but they have a timeframe to provide it.

They already have your details, as they legally have to be provided by the seller to the buyer as part of the Form 1.

I'd ask the current agent what date you're paid up to. If its the 7th (I assume this is settlement date?) you don't need to do anything. If its less than 7th pay the old/current agency the difference (eg weekly rent divide 7 to get daily rate).

If the above is the 7th, then the payment you have lined up is for the new owner. Hold onto it for now and pay it to them once you have bank details.

 

Yeah I think they wanted another $53 tacked onto our last rent payment for 1 extra day but I explained that I couldn't pay it then and there as it was an unexpected and un-budgeted request just 1 day before rent day. I suggested they can have $53 on the next rent day but I'd like a receipt for it to ensure new owner is aware why they are only getting 13 day's rent instead of 14 on their first fortnight.

I'll keep asking both agent and owner up until 7th but my concern is any old Tom, Dick or Harry now has private details about us that I am unaware of. Highly likely that it's not an issue but still would like to have had the heads up. I think some owners sometimes forget that tenants provide a great means of paying a great proportion of their mortgages for them and that we're human....and a customer too boot. I respect their property and in turn a little respect back would be nice.

 

Ask the agent to clarify these things with the owner and to get the info you need conveyed to you.

Privacy is not a large concern, they all have to follow rules & an owner is always going to know about who is in the property.