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References - £30 (!!!)
zidanee
Posts: 29 Forumite
I am moving house at the moment and was asked to provide references to my new agency. My old agency where I was a tenant for 1 year charged me £30 for the reference. I've tried arguing but with little luck - they said the money covers their time to prepare a reference and send it out. I wish my salary was £30 for 5 minutes that it takes to find a file on a tenant and create an email!!!! That's simply outrageous! I had to pay them as there was nothing I could think of and the new agency would not rent me the property without the reference. Is it even legal to charge £30 for reference?? This charge was not in the contract but the agency said that was because it was an additional service that they charge for! Is it even legal to do so? 
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Comments
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Yes, it's legal and yes, it seems like a disproportionate sum but you needed the reference more than they needed to issue it.
Pick your battles, it'll be good for your blood-pressure in the long run0 -
Yup all legal for them, sorry Inside this body lays one of a skinny woman
but I can usually shut her up with chocolate!
When I thank a post in a thread I've not posted in,
it means that I agree with that post and have nothing further to add.
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ok then.. thanks!0
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If a letting agency requires a reference from your bank then your bank will also charge you for this (Natwest = £8.33).0
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if i want a reference from the local authority for one of their tenants moving into the private sector into one of my properties they want to charge me £69.00 + VAT - think your self lucky0
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It's "legal", as the others have said. It's one of the few charges made by LAs that I think can probably be excused, as the provision of a reference is of direct benefit to you, although IMO 20 quid would be a more realistic figure for the work involved. The queries tend to be: has the T paid on time, looked after the property, would you let to this T again, would you recommend this T.
Another option in future may be to ask the LL direct as he may be willing to do it gratis.Many LLs are only too happy to give references for Ts who have been reliable, as a final part of the quid pro quo.0
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