Consumer rights. SURCHARGE !

Imfedup_2

Can anyone help?

Recently I've had to look for a new place to live, I found a flat to rent and as is usual with renting I've had to pay a fee for background checks and also a deposit which is paid in two installments, this means there are 3 separate transactions, I chose to pay with a credit card on all three occasions but was not told at any point there would be a surcharge, subsequently I am now £60 out of pocket.

Can a letting agency charge £20 per credit card transaction if they don't charge for debit card transactions and also should they of told me that I would be charged for using a credit card?

Help!

pinkshoes

I believe they can charge a "reasonable" fee but must tell you. Have you searched their t&cs?

Imfedup_2

Not looked through them yet, I only realised 30 minutes ago that they have charged me ! I will be phoning them tomorrow that's for sure.

Jakg

Bearing in mind that a debit card is a fixed fee per transaction, whereas a credit card is a percentage of the total, £20 as a fixed amount would definitely be classed as "unfair" imo.

WTFH

Jakg wrote: »

Bearing in mind that a debit card is a fixed fee per transaction, whereas a credit card is a percentage of the total, £20 as a fixed amount would definitely be classed as "unfair" imo.

It was done on a credit card, so it shouldn't be a fixed amount. We don't know whether it was £60 in total (which the OP just divided by 3) or was different amounts for each transaction, so I don't think it can definitely be classed as unfair.

bris

How much was it for in total? About 3% is as much as they should charge.

Imfedup_2

Hi again.

The first transaction was £240 with a £20 surcharge. The second transaction was £500 with a £20 surcharge and the final payment was £1142 which was also a £20 surcharge. I wasn't told there would be a surcharge, and no such charge is mentioned in a tenancy agreement which has 1 full page of extra charges listed on it. Does anyone know if letting agencies are exempt from the regulations put in place on card surcharges??

Thanks

bris

£60 over that total amount wouldn't be to far off the mark, they are legally allowed to charge a fee to cover the costs of credit cards.

ValHaller

bris wrote: »

£60 over that total amount wouldn't be to far off the mark, they are legally allowed to charge a fee to cover the costs of credit cards.

That is true but misleading.

OP would have been told the cost for the various items and would have offered to pay by card. At that point, OP should have been advised of the intended charges. If OP was not advised of the charges in excess of the primary bill, then I don't believe they are due.