Estate Agents add ons outside of the contract.

becrob

Hello, I really need some advice please. My 63 year old father has been renting a property through a local estate agents for around 3 years. He recently received a letter informing him of a new policy which meant he would now have to pay a £75 "check out fee" at the end of his tenancy. There was a bit of paper for him to sign and return, in their words, to "confirm acceptance". When he had a routine inspection a couple of weeks ago, I queried this with the agent who visited. She looked puzzled, and stated that it was probably sent out in error and agreed when I said that of course he wouldn't agree to something outside the original terms of his contract. She then said she would check with her colleagues and let us know - she also said it was for £67, although I told her that the letter said £75. My Dad then received a letter from them restating that there is a new charge for all tenants to pay at the end of the lease. I would have thought that unless it's in the original contract, they cannot possibly expect him to pay this, and the fact that they asked him to sign something to agree to it surely means that without his signature, they cannot possibly enforce it? I feel very angry that they are trying to impose this, but do not feel confident enough to argue it until I know where we stand. Thank you for your time. Kind regards.

jamie11

Unless this charge is written into the AST your Dad has with his landlord then I don't think it's enforceable, it is important that your Dad does not sign a new fixed term though because this would probably be slipped into it.

Don't forget that his agreement is with his landlord, not with the LA, they work for the landlord. Does his landlord know about this bit of private enterprise ripping off his tenants?

All in my opinion only of course.

G_M

You are right and have two choices:

1) Ignore it and do nothing. If /when they send reminders, ignore those too.

2) Write back politely saying you are happy with the existing contract and see no reason to alter it.

What kind of contract does he have? Fixed term? For how long? Or Periodic (monthly)?

stator

What a cheek. Another bunch of con artists. Ignore them.

Fulgent

This is one of many reasons I dislike estate/letting agents. I would ignore this rubbish

becrob

stator wrote: »

What a cheek. Another bunch of con artists. Ignore them.

Yes, I totally agree! Thanks all for such quick replies - it really fried me when they just sent another letter saying the same thing - I was so angry at their bravado!

I think it's the usual Assured Tenancy Short hold - he is now month to month anyway and is looking for somewhere smaller.

He is on good terms with the landlord, so I think I'll get him to mention it...

Thank you all very much :T

G_M

s he is on a periodic tenancy, there is always a risk he will be served (S21) notice if he refuses. However, this can only be done by the landlord, or the agent if granted permission by the LL, and evicting a tenant for such a small amount is mad for the ladlord (though good financial sense for the agent!)