Can a landlord/property owner appoint a agent to manager the property if he is not a licenced real estate agent?

I filed a civil suite against my landlord for abusive language and remarks towards myself and my husband and failure to complete repairs, and showing up unexpectedly to question my 16 year old daughter about my where abouts though he claimed to be stopping by to cut the bushes (which he didn't cut down). The landlord denied all of my accusations in his answer to magistrate court and we know have a court date. I attempted to pay December rent to him 2 days before the due date but he does not answer my calls or return calls as a result of messages I have left instead he send a man and that man told me your landlord told me to get the rent. I refused to release my check to him and advised the landlord is responsible for obtaining it. I then recieved a letter the next day saying he has a agent