Ricoh George SA Printer/copier/fax machine rental

After five years and four months of being clients renting a printing/fax/copier machine with this company, we sold our business. We let the company know that the business was sold, and was to be taken over by new managers. They agreed to contact the new managers directly, and we recommended this company to the new owners to take over the lease. That was for 1 August. Only on the 22nd of August they spoke and signed the new lease with the new managers, and are now demanding payment from us for a the full month of August OR ELSE. They had more than enough time to act on the new lease, but chose not to, and we are being held responsible for?? This is unacceptable practice, and I would not recommend this company to anyone who consider renting equipment from them.