tenancy fees dispute

hayleysim90

I am currently living in a flat with my partner, using a letting agency. Our assured shorthold tenancy ended at the end of march, therefore the letting agency have been in contact numerous times for a renewal fee of £240. As they are the worst letting agency i have ever known and we believe this fee is extortionate we have refused to pay this fee. I understand that we automatically go onto a periodic tenancy, correct me if i am wrong?? since this we have found somewhere else to live (with no fees!!) I have dug out the contract i hold with the letting agency and it states that they charge a periodic tenancy fee of £125+vat. Am i wrong to think this is ridiculous for doing no work whatsoever and does anyone know if this is even legal? It also states that if we fail to renew our contract or make payment for a new contract, they will charge £25+vat for every 7 days it is not paid. They haven't actually asked for this money yet as we are yet to hand in out 30 days notice, however, i am concerned that they will try and take the 'renewal' fee and late payment charges out of the security deposit we paid. Does anyone know where i stand with this? All responses are much appreciated, thanks in advance!

CreditCrunchie

Is your deposit protected? They certainly cannot take any deductions from it for 'fees', only legitimate deductions for damage which they can prove loss on. It sounds like they are just bullies. No you do not have to pay those ridiculous fees. If I were you I would call Shelter first thing on Monday morning to get their advice. I am sure there are others on here who can advise you as to how to word a letter to them.

CreditCrunchie

Just had a read on Shelter's website and it seems these fees are not actually illegal. However there is nothing to stop you writing directly to the landlord and letting them know what the agency are asking you for. The final decision is the landlord's and they may have no idea about these charges. They may even be being charged for the same thing (which I believe IS illegal according to the OFT)

G_M

Ignore. Don't pay.

Just remain on a Statutory Periodic Tenancy.

Assuming your deposit is properly registered (is it?) then if/when you leave and they propose deducting these fees from your deposit, raise a dispute.


Ending/Renewing an AST (what happens when the Fixed Term ends?)(What is a Periodic Tenancy?)(How can a LL remove a tenant?)(How can a tenant end a tenancy?)

hayleysim90

Thanks for you comments! Yes, I have a contract with the name of the deposit scheme but cant recall it. I intend to dispute this if they try and take the money, I just dont see how they could even suggest that they are owed this money when we dont have a contract! I didnt think anyone could charge for a periodic tenancy? They will try everything they can to get as much money out of us as they have done for the last 6 month. They even tried to charge us £50 for a reference for our new landlord

dimbo61

They are a business and have a nice shinny office to pay for and staff wages.
Make sure you give notice in writing and one calendar month not 30 days to line up with your tenancy agreement. Understand ?
Take lots of photos when you move out, did you sign a check in inventory ?
Clean the place and remove any stuff that belongs to you.
Report any problems in writing.
Claim your deposit back as soon as you move out.