Query as first time renting

gorgeouslatinrose

Hi there
I am about to move into a rented property later this week. I am renting a room in a 4 bedroom house, the other 3 girls have been there since october and i am taking over another girls tenancy. They have a landlord, but the house is rented through a letting agency.
I am paying a £400 deposit, and they have asked for a £64 letting agents fee which is basically for them to print me out a copy of the contract, but never mind. However I have been told by the girls that they had to pay a £35 inventory fee. They have told me I shouldnt have to pay it as the other girl already paid, but Im not too sure. I will ring the letting agency but they were not open today,

Basically 1. what is this inventory fee for? have many other people come across this. and 2. as this other girl has already paid it, should i be required to pay it again, and are the letting agency allowed to demand it even if i dont have to?

Sorry but rather confused, plus im not very happy with this agency anyway so do not really trust them, but need to move so have not got any time to look for anywhere else.

Many thanks x

ringadingding

It's a fee for when (sometimes) the landlord organises a third party to essentially take stock of their furnishings, cutlery, crockery and whatever was provided in the flat before you moved in. Before DH and I married, my LA did this for the shared house I moved into. I didn't have the pay back the money for the inventory (as it was done months before I moved in) but I did offer to chip in (I think ours was £50 amongst 5 of us). I would ask if the LA intends to do another inventory- if not, there should be no reason for you to pay the fee.
HTH

tbs624

You say that you are taking over another girl' s tenancy - are you on a separate contract or are you signing up to a joint & several liability one with the other tenants?

Either way, you need to check the condition of the property/furnishings etc because it may be that when you come to move out the inventory that will be used will be the original one, meaning that you get to pay a share of any damage done by the girl whose tenancy you are taking on.If you note any damage, carpet stains etc in a letter to the LA (copy to the LL & keep one yourself)plus take photos with a dated newspaper in view, it will help make sure you get your deposit back.

If you are in England or Wales your deposit should be scheme registered by the LL and a copy of the scheme's "precribed info" passed to you, both within 14 days of your deposit being paid to the LA.