Holding & Admin Fee

Gary1963

I recently viewed a flat and gave a payment for a holding fee and admin fee. I paid using my debit card and was issued a receipt.
At no time during this was I advised as to what would happen to the fee should either party pull out.
Am I right in assuming as there was no verbal or written statement refering to the fees that I would be entitled to a full refund?

Werdnal

Depends on the reason for pulling out of the deal.

Usually, if you change your mind/cannot proceed, then you forfeit some or all of the fees you have paid.

Similarly, if you fail the credit checks/references, you would loose the Admin fee, but may have recourse to claim back the holding fee.

If LL should cancel the let, then you should be able to reclaim all you have paid.

Moral of the story is - never hand over money, without knowing what you are paying for! A receipt is only proof you have paid them, you should have been given something in writing detailing the terms and conditions of the fees you were paying.

Letting agents are renown for finding little ways of weedling fees out of tenants (and landlords) for that matter, so unless you have something in writing, I would suggest you may be waving your fees bye-bye!

jjlandlord

Werdnal wrote: »

Depends on the reason for pulling out of the deal.

Usually, if you change your mind/cannot proceed, then you forfeit some or all of the fees you have paid.

The holding deposit would have to be paid in exchange for some clear obligation on the landlord's part. Otherwise it is refundable even if T pulls out.

As for the admin fee, in principle imho it would depend on the work already carried out by the landlord/agent.