Renting - Landlord demands £75 for renewing Rent Agreement

clutton_2

""impose unfair charges to on a tenant, and it is covered by housing law. ""

i realise that you are new to this site, but please quote me where the law which covers the specific amounts a LL may charge for a tenancy agreement ?

i have been a professional LL for nearly 12 years and have never come across such a piece of legislation.

erdd2 offers excellent advice

clutton_2

duplicate post

theartfullodger

Re. clutton's fair question of what law specifies what a LL can charge for a tenancy agreement, the only one I know of is (Scotland..) Rent Act 1984 which makes charging anything illegal.. (and renewal fees, etc etc..).

IN Engerland afaik there's no such legislation (perhaps there should be...)

However, OFT's unfair tenancy terms stuff - google oft356- (yes, guidelines not law but should stand up in court..) states, P50..

unnecessary legal costs - we consider it unreasonable to charge the
tenant drafting and other legal costs unless these are both appropriate
(ie: not involving unnecessary formalities) and properly drawn to the
attention of the tenant at the time of entering the agreement, and

A wise landlord would include the £75 charge for a new agreement as a clause in any tenancy and thus be in a stronger position to defend his profit-chasing tactics. Me, never ever charged for a tenancy agreement, or referencing, or inventory, or late payments: Indeed, I include a £50 bonus - on tenancy end - if all rent payments are on-time.


Cheers!

Sharon87

I think £75 is reasonable for a change in the tenancy. If there are changes to tenancies (adding new people for example) it's standard LA practise to have a fee, whether you or agree or not, it seems to be standard. My LA wanted £150 fee for adding people onto the tenancy when it came to renewing. But didn't request a fee if there were no changes to the tenancy.

Is your GF being checked for references.etc Because that costs them money.

If you want to keep a goo relationship with your LA I'd pay the £75, in their eyes it's a new tenancy agreement.

Probably not want you want to hear, but there's nothing fishy about it, it's part of a way the LA make their money

Alibali

clutton wrote: »

""impose unfair charges to on a tenant, and it is covered by housing law. ""

i realise that you are new to this site, but please quote me where the law which covers the specific amounts a LL may charge for a tenancy agreement ?

i have been a professional LL for nearly 12 years and have never come across such a piece of legislation.

erdd2 offers excellent advice

If you wish to check the piece of legislation - you can visit govanlc.com (Govan law centre's website) and Search for illegal premiums .....it is covered under the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 and also the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988. I did attempt to post the link here, but with being a 'Newbie' I wasn't aware that you couldn't.

Clearly it doesn't state where the initial poster lives...England/Scotland....however illegal premiums are covered in Scotland and as I already stated they can contact Shelter for advice & assistance on the matter as they will assist tenants with their rights & responsibilities in both Scotland and England. They have a helpline, the number is on their website.

clutton_2

Now that you have revealed the Scottish connection - i bow to your superior knowledge. This does not apply in England and Wales. We often get differing responses to LL&T questions depending on the individual circumstances, so its always best to specify Scotland or E&W. Welcome to the Boards btw

G_M

Maybe I read the thread too fast, but I'm confused:

This is England right?
And your original fixed term expired long ago?
So you are on a rolling contract?
Both you and your LL want you gf added to the tenancy?
And the LL is credit checking your gf?

Well, credit checking costs money. Up to £50 excluding time/overheads.

You could stay on a rolling contract, but it's preferable to get your gf added. It's a noe-off fee - when the new fixed term with both your ames expires, you move back to a rolling (=periodic) tenancy.

If there's no credit check, and the contract is the same apart from the name, the £75 sounds like a money-making opportunity.

You could refuse to pay the £75, and either
1) the LL will say 'OK' or
2) he'll refuse to add your gf which would make her an illegal occupier and/or
3) he could issue Notice and look for a new tenant

Or you could counter-offer with say £40.

mikegeordie

Phoned LL, explained him the situation. He couldn't justify his demand for £75, he had none. Finally said let's settle for £50 and carry on.

jjlandlord

G_M wrote: »

2) he'll refuse to add your gf which would make her an illegal occupier

If girlfriend were not added as tenant on the tenant it would not make her an "illegal occupier", she'd not break any law.
It would just make her a guest or lodger, exactly what she already is now.

angrypirate

mikegeordie wrote: »

Phoned LL, explained him the situation. He couldn't justify his demand for £75, he had none. Finally said let's settle for £50 and carry on.

And did you settle or did you push further?