Fees for changing mind about renting??

DRP

spacey2012 wrote: »

Because they are taking the Pi55 thats why and nobody is aware of the law.
Shelter in Scotland are prosecuting agents using a similar act.
I doubt even half of these agents that appear to spring up know it is illegal and if so "everyone else does it" .
If the letter is not signed on behalf of "who ever" it is not a legal bill anyway.
I would insist someone puts a name to it, then ask them if they would like one opportunity to refund the £100 x 3 or start packing a toothbrush for a 3 month holiday.

:rotfl:

I would love this to be right.

plummers38

Spacey, just looked at the invoice again, it's on headed paper but not signed by anyone

Manchee

Hang on, the LA isn't trying to charge a fee for supplying "addresses or other particulars of houses to let" though? So surely this doesn't apply? The fee was for holding it for them, right?

plummers38

Thanks for all the replies, I've just got an appointment at my local Citizens Advice Bereau tomorrow so hopefully straighten this out soon

plummers38

Yes, the fee was to hold the property, £400 in total

pmlindyloo

Interesting article here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/10114111/Letting-agent-fees-out-of-control.html

In these circumstances at the present time I believe that they can retain the Holding deposit as it was the 'tenants' fault that they did not take up the tenancy,

Whilst others may disagree whether charging the cost of doing the admin./credit checks should be 'passed on' (those quoted are ridiculously high if it is £180 each) I think you could take the stance that these fees were not disclosed 'up front' as they should have been.

The article suggests that you can report them to the local tradings officer.

You could escalate your complaint about these fees by writing to their head office if the local office are unhelpful before you report them.

Werdnal

If tenants and guarantors have completed credit check/application questionnaires, I assume they required signatures? Check whether there are any terms and conditions quoted on those documents, as if they were signed and the terms state the fees will still apply if the tenants cancel the application, I think they have confirmed their agreement to pay them!

I know agents are often OTT with fees, but credit check and referencing on 3 tenants and their respective guarantors are not free, and there will be admin costs associated with them.

JencParker

Werdnal wrote: »

If tenants and guarantors have completed credit check/application questionnaires, I assume they required signatures? Check whether there are any terms and conditions quoted on those documents, as if they were signed and the terms state the fees will still apply if the tenants cancel the application, I think they have confirmed their agreement to pay them!

I know agents are often OTT with fees, but credit check and referencing on 3 tenants and their respective guarantors are not free, and there will be admin costs associated with them.

Slightly off topic, but credit checks and referencing are for the benefit of the landlord so they should be paying for them (even if it is somehow incorporated into the rent they charge). I never had to pay for anything as a tenant (30 years ago) and think it's scandalous that tenants are have so many extra 'charges' on top of rent.

Werdnal

JencParker wrote: »

Slightly off topic, but credit checks and referencing are for the benefit of the landlord so they should be paying for them (even if it is somehow incorporated into the rent they charge). I never had to pay for anything as a tenant (30 years ago) and think it's scandalous that tenants are have so many extra 'charges' on top of rent.

Whilst ITA, it is now the norm for tenants to bear the cost of checking and referencing. Things change a lot in 30 years!

ging84

where did this Accommodation Agencies Act 1953 come from
reading that it would suggest all letting agent fees are totally illegal and have been for 60 years
Something must be missing here