Letting agent admin fees for refunding rent

Siren

A few months ago our letting agent sent us a letter saying that the landlady wanted her house back and that we had to move out within 2 months. In the ensuing chaos of us both working, having a 2 year with flu and trying to find somewhere else to live, we forgot to cancel the rent direct debit. This meant that a month after we moved out £700 went to their bank. When I sent the letting agency a polite and apologetic letter, they sent a cheque for £680 and a letter saying that they charged us £20 for administration. I think that it's fair that they should have a small admin fee, as it was our fault, but £20 seems a little steep. We had so many problems with them when we moved out, such as trying to charge us for a cobweb, that this feels like the last straw. I wish i could send them a letter charging them admin due to the fact that they didn't return our damage deposit to us until 10 days after the maximum period they could keep it. They have had interest on almost £2000 of our money!

I would really appreciate any advice from MSE forum members. Do I have a right to ask for some of the money back? I know it's not a great deal, but I feel that there is a principle at stake here.

asharon

I don't know what the law states but I would at least be asking for a break down of how they came to £20.

clutton_2

when did you move in ?

it was you that forgot to cancel the payment - so i feel you have made extra work for them - how about asking for £10 back ?

BitterAndTwisted

If the funds were paid into the letting agents trust account it's possible that they paid the monies over to the landlord and then had all the hassle of getting it back from them and then had to pay it over to you. £20 doesn't seem unreasonable to me in the circumstances

deddogblues

If the letting agent knew that you had moved out then they should not have taken a payment and you should have been refunded the full amount.
If you contact your bank they should refund you the difference as the letting agent has taken money it was not entitled to.

redzhell

This is probably not worth the effort but the admin charge is supposed to be stated on your AST agreement. Just quickly looked at mine and noted £17.63 inclusive of VAT for various administration charges particularly rent matters.

dh_mcr

From the Direct Debit Guarantee:

"If an error is made by the organisation or your bank or building society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your branch of the amount paid."


If it was a standing order then you should obviously cancel it otherwise it will keep running. If a DD then you should not have to cancel this as the agency shouldn't be taking money after the end of a contract.

DVardysShadow

clutton wrote: »

it was you that forgot to cancel the payment - so i feel you have made extra work for them - how about asking for £10 back ?

It is DD, not SO. So it is immaterial that T forgot to cancel. LA took money without authority and now charging for its return.

To OP: If it was DD, you should not stand for this fee, but if it was SO, then as clutton says.