Check out fee - Rental property

terisp

I recently left a 2 bedroom unfurnished cottage which required a full managed checkout, although no such check was done when I moved in.
I accepted a couple of minor items of damage but was very suprised when the final statement showed a sum of £130.00 for the checkout.
I realise the tenant is responsible for the outgoing check but is this a normal fee ?.

tek-monkey

Never been charged myself, depends what is in your contract I suppose. Its most likely so that any money from the actual LL is straight commission, they charge you for their time when doing the things he pays for.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

It's usual for the LL to pay for the independent check-in, and the tenant to pay the same charge for the check-out- this should be in your contract though. It sounds pretty steep for an unfurnished property, but these agencies make things up as they go along.

If there isn't a check-in inventory to compare the final state of the place to, then I don't see how you can be charged now?

adg1

Ask to see the original Check-In report that should have been done - without this there is no proof of the condition of the property when you moved in and hence how can you check against it when you move out?

With regards to costs, £99+vat seems to abound a lot so in the region of £130 is probably market value if done through an agent/professional check in clerk.

poppysarah

£130 would be 22 hours at minimum wage. You could lick a place clean in that sort of time let alone inspect it.

Utter ripoff. Wish MSE Martin would start a campaign to get insane agent fees abolished.

theartfullodger

Totally unreasonable charge, probably made by agent not LL. Charges may only be for their reasonable net costs.. i.e. cost must be fair & they can't make a profit on it. Many agents try to make a profit.

OFT have produced guidance on unfair terms and mention this (Group 5, financial penalties).. see
http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/publications/guidance/unfair-terms-consumer/oft356
& 18(a)

Cheers!

Lodger

rexmedorum

I realise this thread is a bit old, but I am about to rent a property via an egent that does have check-out fees of 60 quid.
I expect this will be in our tenancy agreement, though normally the agreement is with the landlord not the agent (unless they hapen to also own the property).

I am wondering is there a way of getting out of this, assuming the landlord is hard to contact directly (either a company or individual abroad)? I would think the agent would be difficult if we refused to pay or even flat refuse our notice / to forward it.

jjlandlord

terisp wrote: »

I realise the tenant is responsible for the outgoing check but is this a normal fee ?.

Why? Was it something agreed as part of the tenancy contract?
If not they cannot charge you at all.

rexmedorum

jjlandlord wrote: »

Why? Was it something agreed as part of the tenancy contract?
If not they cannot charge you at all.

Even if it is, can a contract between T and LL state they should pay a 3rd part (LA) ??

jjlandlord

Ah just noticed that I commented on a quite old post...

rexmedorum wrote: »

Even if it is, can a contract between T and LL state they should pay a 3rd part (LA) ??

Your relation is with the LL only and the LA works for him: LA cannot charge you unless you ask him to do some work for you.

But your contract with LL can state that you agree to pay his costs related e.g. to inventories.

rexmedorum wrote: »

I would think the agent would be difficult if we refused to pay or even flat refuse our notice / to forward it.

Your tenancy agreement should include an address where notices should be sent to.
As long as you send them to that address, they cannot be "refused".