New Owners but rental went to previous owners... What to do?

Hi asking for a friend, sorry in advance if this is long to read....

My friend just settled on a property that is currently tenanted. This is fine, she has signed and taken over the lease agreement from previous owners.

The agency (Ray White) who she purchased the house from also are the property manager of her house she has also signed on with them to continue using them. So RW knows when settlement was due to happened and also the property managers knew settlement date was on 28/02/20.

Rent was paid on 27/02/20 for the period of March20 (apparently they paid earlier than normal). On 28/02/20 RW's accounts team released the funds to the previous owners. RW property manager is now claiming that my friends conveyancer should have contacted them either a day prior to settlement or on settlement to advise of change of ownership.

Now RW are pushing the blame onto her conveyancer and everyone is trying to get in touch with the previous owners but they apparently not picking up their phones or replying to emails (could also be on holidays?)

Is it necessary for conveyancer to contact agent even though they are all fully aware?

Who is responsible for this stuff around?

Who can she contact now to sort this out and to receive her rental income back?

Can she legally contact the owners herself or must this be done via a third party?

Are the owners legally breaching contract for not returning the funds once they received it?


Sorry neither of us have much experience in this area, any help would be appreciated

The responsibility is with the property manager, they knew the settlement date, It’s their responsibility to give them the rent as per the managing agreement.

The conveyancer deals with the selling agent, usually would not deal with the property manager.

cheers Pulse