Tenancy Agreement - Legal Fees

annannanna

I have recently had an offer accepted to let a flat with a Letting Agent. They told us originally that we would need to pay £90 reference fees. I have now contacted them about going in to sign the tenancy and pay the deposit and they are now saying I need to pay £60 legal fees for preparation of legal documents.

I have moved many times before and have never had to pay any legal fees. I work in a Solicitors and know that is doesn't cost £60 to get a Tenancy Agreement. I just don't want to be scammed. Is this a normal charge?

poppysarah

Does it heck cost that much - ask to see their legal bill. It'll be sandra in the back office photocopying the same tenancy as everyone else has.

I think letting agents are taking the urine quite a lot these days.

tbs624

Tell the LA that they can get one from the RLA for just a fiver - bet they are charging the LL too.

annannanna

Sorry what is RLA?

Thanks for the tips, I will speak to the Letting Agent and see what they say.

tbs624

Residential Landlords Association see here

Rick62

If you work in a solicitors why not just say you'll bring your own!

BoingBoing_2

Count yourself lucky, the letting agency we need to go through charges £175 + vat for drawing up the agreement and administration costs!!!!!!!!!

Has anyone ever bartered the cost down and if so, how?

annannanna

I sent the letting agent an email yesterday asking if they would waiver the legal fee if I brought my own Tenancy Agreement. They haven't got back to me yet....

poppysarah

Did you tell them you could do them a cheaper deal through your employers?

Cardiffcpl

We have just gone through a long and painful process of letting a property through Peter Alan estate agents in Cardiff!

Their fee's are charged per head. £150+vat for 1 person and then £75+vat for every other person who will be living in the property! As a married couple surely we are being discriminated against? I understand the charge if its a group of students but for married couples and families it surely is a case for trading standards to investigate.
Does anyone have any similar experiences with agents charging per head for rental property??

Not only have we paid the fee (begrudgingly) but they havent even told us yet if we have the property and we only have 3 days left to move!!! We've been treated appallingly by this company and have had 3 weeks of constant chasing to get them to their job! We wander what we're paying for!