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Renewal fee rental

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stopherlogic
stopherlogic Posts: 2 Newbie
in House buying, renting & selling
Recently we have been informed by our estate agent Belvoir that we have to pay a renewal fee on a property that we have been renting for 12 months. The renewal fee £120 which belvoir tells us covers the cost of their time and the "ink". As far as I am can tell they only have to increase the rental amount on the contract. To me this seems a bit of a scam to keep doing this every 12 months. There's no mention of this fee in our tenancy agreement and when questioned, Belvoir stated that the cost was for their admin work, ink and paper... This is excessive.

Has anyone had any similar experiences with this?
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Comments

  • greendoor665
    greendoor665 Posts: 126 Forumite
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    It's unfortunate but very common. These fees will be made illegal soon, but not soon enough for you.

    A possible alternative is to not renew your tenancy and allow it to become a periodic tenancy, with the risk that the agent or landlord may serve notice on you (although the eviction process is long and drawn out).
  • HampshireH
    HampshireH Posts: 4,480 Forumite
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    Quite normal. I used to rent with belvoir about 9 years ago. Their fees are on their website. Most estate agents have them published online. What branch is your belvoir? They seem to tailor fees dependant on area for example it's £30 in Burnley but £72 in Southampton
  • HampshireH
    HampshireH Posts: 4,480 Forumite
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    Not sure how they get away with charging different prices in different areas mind.
  • flashg67
    flashg67 Posts: 3,997 Forumite
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    Rip off IMHO. I'm a landlord, and I'm pretty sure my agent charges both parties, just for a minor adjustment to the last one they did.

    I've allowed mine to go onto rolling tenancies for now on principal. Both my tenants and me are both happy to do this.
  • Cakeguts
    Cakeguts Posts: 7,627 Forumite
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    Do nothing and go onto a rolling tenancy. Some of these go on for years. Does depend on the landlord though.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
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    stopherlogic wrote: »
    Has anyone had any similar experiences with this?
    :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:


    Read:

    * Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?
  • juniordoc
    juniordoc Posts: 366 Forumite
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    Chances are that if you've already been there a full 12 months, then it has already automatically become a rolling periodic tenancy and you need do nothing further.
    If you are keen to have the security of a longer fixed term you could negotiate, offer a £100 fee for an 18 month term, or the full £120 for a 24 month term.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
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    edited 22 November 2017 at 1:07AM
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    juniordoc wrote: »
    Chances are that if you've already been there a full 12 months, then it has already automatically become a rolling periodic tenancy and you need do nothing further.
    If you are keen to have the security of a longer fixed term you could negotiate, offer a £100 fee for an 18 month term, or the full £120 for a 24 month term.
    That is a huge assumption.

    You certainly can't start by saying "Chances are that...."

    I'd go further. The fact that the tenancy agreement contains the rent review clause quoted, strongly suggests to me that ..... chances are this is a 12 month fixed term tenancy followed by a Contractual Periodic Tenancy to which the rent review process will apply.

    edit: ignore this post - thought I was on another thread....
  • juniordoc
    juniordoc Posts: 366 Forumite
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    Sorry I can't see a rent review clause quoted.....
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
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    juniordoc wrote: »
    Sorry I can't see a rent review clause quoted.....
    Oops! Got my threads mixed up. Best go to bed.

    :doh:
This discussion has been closed.
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