Terminating Agency Agreements - no response

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I would appreciate if anyone has the time to response to my concerns.

I have one property let out with an agency for the last 18 months (full management). They have been appaling to me but my tenants have no complaints.

The last 6 months have been dreadful - very late rental payments to me and at present they are 4 months behind. They do not reply to emails, letters or phone call messages left.

I have now given notice to terminate agreement with a specific date to respond - nothing. I have engaged the services of a solicitor to recover the money I'm owed and the tenants' deposit.

My difficulties arise as I know the tenants' AST runs out 21st October. My solictor has recommended that the tenants pay me directly from now on but with the AST running out soon and no response from the current agent agreeing to release me from their agreement - I feel I am in limbo. I cannot go to another agency until I'm released from my current one and I'm unsure if I can just do my own AST in the meantime??

Any help with this mess would be appreciated

Thanks in anticipation

Carol