Student son rental problems: inc fees

Ceri11

Student son - problems with two letting agents.

Agent no 1: son has spend past year in appalling accommodation. Flithy; cold; damp; radiators leaked/didn't turn on; potentially dangerous (windows broken - non fire retardant furniture - no sign of gas etc safety certs). Long story but some parents kicked up and I reported agent to local council. Agent was "on their radar" was visited but remained a law unto himself. To the bitter end - flat was as bad when we visited at the weekend as it was at the start of the tenancy. Son ran out of money - we've paid a fair bit of the rent and saw the agent yesterday to discuss the outstanding amount in relation to the grievous state of the accommodation

Agent was aggressive, swearing - wouldn't budge on the rent and we gave him a cheque (minus deposit - he finally agree to this and we couldn't trust him with it in any case). Son will be there another few days.

Let this go? Go back to the council (we had contact with the licensing division - but there's always env health); stop the cheque? Very angry that this agent (and the landlord/owner who is named in the contract) has got away with making a shed load of money out of a lot of students - he has many properties in the small town.

Certainly, feel that we should advise the Uni housing service - they must operate a black list. Trouble is, housing is in very, very short supply in this ostensibly student town.

Agent no 2: son about to share new accommodation with a friend. Not a student let, sadly - ie full rent from hereonin. Couple of questions: admin fee, for the two of them, is £132.00. Steep?
And agent is charging £42.00 for a 'tenant deposit protection scheme fee'. When I looked this up, I noticed on the Dept of Communities and Local Government site that there is no charge to any of the parties. So why this fee?

This agent - unlike no 1 - is a member of the ALA but maybe that means nothing?

Son/we need to pay up pronto so he can move in. Moving in is also dependent on our signing a guarantor form - agent insists on that for under 25s.

Can anyone shed light on these fees in particular? Many thanks.

Guest101

I'd stop the cheque. and i wouldnt have been paying any rent until the problems had been rectified. If the agent was abusive/threatening, i'd call the police. What's he going to do, can you see this clown in court - unlikely. Do tell the uni, as most operate a trusted land lords scheme.

£132 in total, quite reasonable. £42 for the DPS - I've heard these figures before, I don't think it's accurate, however for the sake of £42 i may just pay it.

Guarantor for under 25's is quite common, Since you seem to be happy to help with rent, it shouldn't be a problem. HOWEVER if this is a joint tenancy, the tenants are jointly and individually bound to pay. I hope this friend is trust worthy as you are guaranteeing his rent also. You could negotiate that you pay 6 months upfront instead, if that is an option?

monty-doggy

The £132 sounds standard. The £42 doesn't. I'd question that and see if it can be waived.

Ceri11

Thanks!

1. Mightily tempted to stop the cheque - can't see us getting any other money back in any other way. I just don't want repercussions for the other students who haven't had their deposits back yet. (We persuaded the agent to deduct it off the outstanding rent.) I don't know why I call it rent - it was money for nothing. The conditions were so squalid.

2. Yes, monty - the £42 for the deposit protection scheme sounds odd - when there's nothing for the agent to pay it seems.

3. Blimey - just had another look at the guarantor form. No tenant names mentioned - so perhaps I would be liable for my son's friend, too. Though his parents signed a form -
I can't afford to pay 6 months up front - one month and fees, yes. Need to come to an arrangement with my son and strongly, strongly encourage him to budget responsibly. He's taken this on himself.

G_M

Ceri11 wrote: »

Thanks!

1. Mightily tempted to stop the cheque - can't see us getting any other money back in any other way. I just don't want repercussions for the other students who haven't had their deposits back yet. (We persuaded the agent to deduct it off the outstanding rent.) I don't know why I call it rent - it was money for nothing. The conditions were so squalid.
If this was a 'joint and several' tenancy, then if you stop the cheque the LL can deduct what (he thinks) is owed from the others' deposits. Whether itIS owed is a different Q.

Was rent owed?

Did you get a wriiten receipt,and what does it say? Does it acknowledge son's tenancy is ended?

How come no repairs/action have been chased after a full year...?

2. Yes, monty - the £42 for the deposit protection scheme sounds odd - when there's nothing for the agent to pay it seems.
Depends which scheme is used. But provided you can get the keys and start the tenancy, the LL has to register the deposit whether you pay the fee or not.

3. Blimey - just had another look at the guarantor form. No tenant names mentioned
Take a photocopy aftersigning. If there is no tenant name, the guarantee will be worthless. Have you been given a copy of the tenancy agreement?
Areyou required tohave a witness to you signing (as a Deed)?
- so perhaps I would be liable for my son's friend, too. Though his parents signed a form -
if the tenants are 'joint and several' so will be the guarantors
I can't afford to pay 6 months up front - one month and fees, yes. Need to come to an arrangement with my son and strongly, strongly encourage him to budget responsibly. He's taken this on himself.

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