Renewing Tenancy Agreement £70

A_Nice_Englishman

I had to pay the agent £25 to renew my 6 month assured shorthold tenancy. Don't know what they charged the landlord.

Some of the figures quoted above sound excessive compared to the amount of work involved (10 minutes of their time to print off the agreement, watch me sign it, photocopy and send copies to tenant and landlord)

I agree with earthmother that it's good to know you have security of tenure for 6 months.

littlemissmoney

I'm not bothered about the security side. The LL would have to give me 2 months notice anyway and that would be enough to move. It's much more likely that I will want to move, but will be stuck in another fixed term contract.

I am going to return the form saying I would like a periodic contract. Hopefully that won't be a problem because it gives my LL more flexiblity too. I have been looking through the small print and I did sign to say I would pay the £70 if a new term is agreed on expiry. But this isn't a new term, right?

Thanks guys

silvercar

my agency charges landlords 5% of the annual rent to renew a tennancy agreement for a further 12 months!

littlemissmoney

silvercar wrote:

my agency charges landlords 5% of the annual rent to renew a tennancy agreement for a further 12 months!

:eek: :eek: :eek:

realwildone

What the hell do you pay top renew your tenancy agreements for. DONT PAY IT. GO ELSEWHERE. This is robbery by the letting agents and should be illegal. This and charging £150.00 for a credit check.

Nothing gets done about it at all. Afterall your local MP probably lets out houses as well.

I really get fed up of this corrupt government.

greencat_2

Indeed I've never paid for a tenancy agreement, credit check or anything except rent/deposit/bills.

But then I've never used a letting agent who as far as I can tell screw both sides - the landlord and the tenant. If I did use one - it would be a condition of taking the let that I wouldn't be paying any of these extra costs.

littlemissmoney

realwildone wrote:

DONT PAY IT. GO ELSEWHERE.

It will cost me more than £70 to move... I will have to pay some other letting agency £150 to credit check me instead! :mad:

I have been doing some research and a fixed term contract automatically becomes a periodic contract at the end of the term. So I can see no justification for charging me for "renewing" the contract. I can't believe I signed up to another fixed term contract and paid the £70 last year (pre MSE).

littlemissmoney

thescouselander wrote:

Also, you normally only have to give 1 months notice to move out.

Thanks thescouserlander. I have also said I would like a 1 month notice period. Two does seem a lot, that's more than I have to give at work!

Mrs_pbradley936

greencat wrote:

Indeed I've never paid for a tenancy agreement, credit check or anything except rent/deposit/bills.

But then I've never used a letting agent who as far as I can tell screw both sides - the landlord and the tenant. If I did use one - it would be a condition of taking the let that I wouldn't be paying any of these extra costs.

As a landlord I use an agency so that I can be sure that all the legal side is complied with properly. They always hold the deposit not me so I never have to argue with tenants about what is deducted. Some people leave a place spotless, others leave it like a tip with filthy toilets and oven which have to be put right before any one else will take it. Again I do not get involved, if necessary the agents send in cleaners and the bill is taken from the deposit. In addition I can claim the agency fees on my tax return.

Mrs_pbradley936

littlemissmoney wrote:

Thanks thescouserlander. I have also said I would like a 1 month notice period. Two does seem a lot, that's more than I have to give at work!

I think the two months is a legal requirement. You can move out before then of course but you would have to pay two months rent.