Letting agent reference fee - Never aware of it?!

Korv

I moved into a new flat about a month ago, and the letting agent sent me little to no details about what was going to happen. I spoke to the flatmate there and we pretty much organised everything.

I did however have to go through a referencing website which they outsource their referencing to. This was fine and quick.

I called the letting agent and they said that they will send me the tenancy addendum (to change the names of me and the ex-flatmate) on the agreement.

They said they will do this ASAP by e-mail on the 29th August, they wanted it returned in the post by 2nd September. I ask what if the post doesn't arrive by the 2nd, they said I can move in anyway.

I move in on the 2nd of September - No sign of the e-mail.
I receive the e-mail on the 6th September.

They also say "I have attached an invoice for the reference fee" - £125 + VAT = £150.

This is the first I have heard of them mentioning reference fee to me or any kind of charge. It also states on the invoice that I must pay before I can move in (Contradicting that I can move in on my actual move in date).



SO, I don't feel obliged to pay them, I have never been aware of the fees as they told me nothing about them. I phone them up to ask them about it and they said they told the ex-flat mate and expected him to tell me - WHAT?

So I e-mail him and he has no clue about it either. I do my research and look at all the terms and conditions, and my rights with letting agents, I even phone up my landlord and everywhere states that I am in the right, even the landlord agrees and tells me I should try and speak to the managing director to ensure that I don't have to pay.


I'm just posting to ask if I am 100% in the right before I phone them up and go full warfare?


(I may seem a little harsh against them, but they have treated us pretty bad with lazyness and lack of communication - And then pretty hostile towards me when I do phone up).

roonaldo

Letting agents are notorious for hiding the fee's. £125 plus vat is ridiculous too. So they have sent an invoice after you have moved in? They really have made a mess of that. Tell them you are going to complain to the property ombudsman.

http://www.tpos.co.uk/consumer_guide_rents.htm

Korv

Just to let you know - I didn't have to pay it. I spoke to the managing director and he said "This time, it seems you won't have to pay it as there is nothing in writing, only verbally". (There wasn't anything verbal either).

Success.