Mr

appaub

Hi all,
I have had to pay some money to an estate that I doubt its legitimacy.
Background:
My son, a university student in his second year was looking for student accommodation through an estate agent. In addition to the Estate agent Fee (£180), Holding rent and 6-week Rent Deposit, he was charged with Guarantor's fee - £90 and Contract Fee £25.
I find these 2 type of charges very dubious and not consistent with what we paid to another estate agent for the previous year's accommodation.
Can anybody educate me or update me if I am missing something here.

Many thanks.
Gabby

HappyMJ

appaub wrote: »

Hi all,
I have had to pay some money to an estate that I doubt its legitimacy.
Background:
My son, a university student in his second year was looking for student accommodation through an estate agent. In addition to the Estate agent Fee (£180), Holding rent and 6-week Rent Deposit, he was charged with Guarantor's fee - £90 and Contract Fee £25.
I find these 2 type of charges very dubious and not consistent with what we paid to another estate agent for the previous year's accommodation.
Can anybody educate me or update me if I am missing something here.

Many thanks.
Gabby

You've just figured out that letting agents charge whatever they want. None of that goes to the landlord. You either pay it or you find another property through a different letting agent. Until laws are passed restricting the fees that can be charged there's little you can do. If you want the property you have to pay.

G_M

Just to ad - make sure you understan what you are guaranteeing - your son's rent, or the property rent (which might be 6 times that if he's sharing with 5 others.....)

myawn

Letting agents pretty much charge what they like, as I understand there aren't rules governing their fee structures. You just have to choose a reputable agent to avoid the 'extras'.

G_M wrote: »

Just to ad - make sure you understan what you are guaranteeing - your son's rent, or the property rent (which might be 6 times that if he's sharing with 5 others.....)

This is also something to be aware of - you won't want to be liable for the rent if one of your son's house mates forgets to pay. Ideally the contract structure should be that each tenant should have their own agreement to pay their share to the landlord rather than everyone being jointly liable for the rent.