The relationship between the landlord and ‘agent’

The term ‘agency’ is used in law to describe the relationship between the principal, (in housing this is the landlord) and the agent.

The principal agrees (expressly or impliedly consents) that the agent should act on their behalf in legal relations with third parties (in housing this is the tenant, and any other party that the agent needs to deal with in managing a property, for example workers undertaking repairs). The agent also agrees to act on the landlord’s behalf.