Tennant Renewal Fee - fair?

rpc

Does that clause state the amount?

If it is essentially a "we will charge you some money but we won't tell you how much" then it is probably an unfair term.

Another tack: given the wording you would be quite entitled to a breakdown of "of the cost of preparing a new Tenancy Agreement in respect of the property" and then to haggle over what proportion you should pay. You have to agree this for any applicable fee to be due...

Fire_Fox

Write to your landlord directly and explain you were not informed of these charges and that the letting agent is ignoring your letter asking for a breakdown (if that is the case). I wasn't aware you could have a new tenancy agreement for 3 months, that sounds like a nice little money spinner.

Chris_Mundy

The clause does state: £100 - total inc VAT £120.

What would be the best tac to get this reduced?
Should i ask what the total cost of preparing the new agreement if this is just a proportion. I asked for a breakdown and they sent me:

Proforma Invoice
Date 02/07/12
Description Tenant Rewal Fee (Standard) £100
Description Total VAT £20

This isn't exactly a breakdown...

The reason i am asking is because as Terryw states:

terryw
However if the OP has signed a new tenancy for 12 months then the £120 might be a relatively small amount to pay for the knowledge that they have security of tenure for this period.

If i can get this reduced for another 12months security then it could be worthwhile.

Again thank you for all of your responses

Chris

Fire_Fox

You are not being clear at all, what exactly have you signed for 'renewal', a new AST or some other document? How long for - the OP suggests you were offered 12 months? If the amount is stated the amount is due, you read and signed that contract. You may be able to ask the landlord to share the cost.

Chris_Mundy

Fire_Fox wrote: »

You are not being clear at all, what exactly have you signed for 'renewal', a new AST or some other document? How long for - the OP suggests you were offered 12 months? If the amount is stated the amount is due, you signed that contract. You may be able to ask the landlord to share the cost.

My tenancy ran out on August 12 2012.
I agreed with the landlord to stay in the house over the Christmas quiet period, so effectively 6months, running until February.

I have received a contract from the Estate Agent for 12month contract and 6month breakclause with a fee for £120 - Tenancy Renewal Fee.

As has been stated in previous replies i should now have moved onto an SPT. My question is if there is anyway to reduce this renewal fee as it will effectively give me 12months security on my tenure if i sign. Instead of the 2 months i receive will on an SPT.

jjlandlord

Just tell them that you never agreed to this new contract and to pay the fee. Don't sign and don't send it back.

Chris_Mundy wrote: »

it will effectively give me 12months security on my tenure if i sign.

You say there is a 6 month break clause. That's 6 month security of tenure to me.

Chris_Mundy

Okay everyone, thank you very much for all your help on this. Very informative.

All the best,
Chris

Fire_Fox

Chris_Mundy wrote: »

My tenancy ran out on August 12 2012.
I agreed with the landlord to stay in the house over the Christmas quiet period, so effectively 6months, running until February.

I have received a contract from the Estate Agent for 12month contract and 6month breakclause with a fee for £120 - Tenancy Renewal Fee.

As has been stated in previous replies i should now have moved onto an SPT. My question is if there is anyway to reduce this renewal fee as it will effectively give me 12months security on my tenure if i sign. Instead of the 2 months i receive will on an SPT.

So you haven't signed? In which case don't and the £120 is not due. I don't know why they have told you that you owe something if you have not yet signed.

Contact your landlord directly and say you would like 6 or 12 months security but are not willing to pay £120 for a few sheets of paper when all they have changed is the dates. Let them negotiate with THEIR letting agent.

dori2o

As you seem to have a good relationship with the landlady my first port of call would be to her.

Explain that you would like to remain in the property, but the £120 fee is likely to be a problem.

Mention to her about Statutory Periodic Tenancy and see if she's happy for you to remain in the property on that basis.

You never know, if she's not up to date with the current tenancy rules the Lettings Agency may be telling her a new agreement must be signed.

If she insists that you need to sign the agreement, then see if you can negotiate with her to come to some arrangement over the cost, i.e. 50/50.

edit: I see Fire Fox beat me to it.

G_M

See post 5 above:

1) did you actually sign a new tenancy agreement for a new fixed term (if so, why - read this post here)

It now appears you did not. Correct? Please clarify.

So read the link I gave you to understand your options as well as the advice in other posts above.