Estate Agents Fees When Renting

Buggles

How much does it typically cost for admin fees etc when renting through an estate agents? What do they check? I have no debts but also no credit history as I have no catalogues or credit card.

G_M

Between £20 and £400.

Shop around and ask each agent exactly how much they charge, what each element of the charge is for, whether it is refundable and if so in what circumstances.

Read everything you are given before you sign it.

Credit checks look at whether you've ever been bankrupt, or had a county court judgementy against you, confirms your ID via the electoral roll etc, looks at your credit score and whether you have a habit of missing payments on loans/debts etc.

Jowo_2

This gives you an idea of what a comprehensive check entails

http://www.tenantverify.co.uk/comprehensive.htm

and a basic one

http://www.tenantverify.co.uk/basic_search.htm

As per the previous poster, make sure you understand the FULL charges across the whole tenancy, including any charges for renewing the contract every 6 months and that you understand what parts are refundable, should you fail the checks or if you withdraw from the tenancy you pay a holding deposit towards.

LittleMissAspie

We paid £90, other agents in our area charge £200ish. I note that it is now common to charge another fee when you move out, this can be another couple of hundred.