Over £100p/mth agency fees!

AdrianC

cartercarter wrote: »

My qeury is more surrounding whether or not there is a watchdog to monitor whether industry fees being charged are fair.

Were you made aware of the fees before taking the tenancy up?

cartercarter

Yes I did know the costs upfront. To give an alternative example, if I had an extortionate bill for Internet costs but it was my only ISP option I my house, I could at least complain to ofcom. In this case, I'm really just curious to know if there is a watchdog out there because otherwise the agencies could all charge a seemingly unlimited amount.

Guest101

cartercarter wrote: »

Yes I did know the costs upfront. To give an alternative example, if I had an extortionate bill for Internet costs but it was my only ISP option I my house, I could at least complain to ofcom. In this case, I'm really just curious to know if there is a watchdog out there because otherwise the agencies could all charge a seemingly unlimited amount.

1: But it wasn't your only option, there are hundreds of agencies and many landlords who don't use agencies.
2: Agencies can charge whatever they want, but being a free market, competitors will undercut them, thereby bringing down the cost. LLs wont be keen on using them as they are unlikely to let the property if the fees are excessive
3: Just because you got notice, didn't mean you had to leave

G_M

cartercarter wrote: »

To clarify, I moved out because I had no option otherwise having been given notice to vacate the premises by the agency.
Have you read the link yet? Of course you had an option. You could have stayed, at least for the time being.

I also knew about the fees upfront and am not disputing the dilapalidations costs.
OK so the deposi link is not relevant if you accept the delapidation costs. But in that case why did you mention them?

My qeury is more surrounding whether or not there is a watchdog to monitor whether industry fees being charged are fair.
Answered several times above
Or, if not, should I perhaps bring this to the attention of my local councillor instead?
What point? Councillors cannot change the law. Your MP would be more relevant.
Unfortunately, beyond paying the fees there were little other options at the time for us to find somewhere else suitable to live.

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Gorecki

Re. OP, don't take these replies too harshly.

A lot of people on these forums are landlords or (more commonly), have seen the same questions so many times over the years they tend to reply quite factually and bluntly.

I, and I imagine many background lurkers, completely agree with you.
The rental setup in the UK is ridiculous, with very few controls in place to prevent people being ripped off.
It's got to such an issue in London that a few political parties took the unusual step of campaigned at the last election on a "will setup a non-for-profit national letting agency" ticket.

Don't listen to the earlier comments re. not contacting your councillor about it. Definitely let them know of your experience, along with your MP.

marksoton

Gorecki wrote: »

Re. OP, don't take these replies too harshly.

A lot of people on these forums are landlords or (more commonly), have seen the same questions so many times over the years they tend to reply quite factually and bluntly.

I, and I imagine many background lurkers, completely agree with you.
The rental setup in the UK is ridiculous, with very few controls in place to prevent people being ripped off.
It's got to such an issue in London that a few political parties took the unusual step of campaigned at the last election on a "will setup a non-for-profit national letting agency" ticket.

Don't listen to the earlier comments re. not contacting your councillor about it. Definitely let them know of your experience, along with your MP.

Surely a factual response is the best kind?

The fact some on here are LL's is a positive from what i've seen.

The Scots have got the right system and it's criminal the English have not adopted it. But telling a council about your woes will make zero difference.

AdrianC

Gorecki wrote: »

It's got to such an issue in London that a few political parties took the unusual step of campaigned at the last election on a "will setup a non-for-profit national letting agency" ticket.

Really? Which?

phill99

Guest101 wrote: »

1: But it wasn't your only option, there are hundreds of agencies and many landlords who don't use agencies.
2: Agencies can charge whatever they want, but being a free market, competitors will undercut them, thereby bringing down the cost. LLs wont be keen on using them as they are unlikely to let the property if the fees are excessive
3: Just because you got notice, didn't mean you had to leave

But you make an assumption that it is a level playing field and there are more houses for rent than tenants. Sadly it is the complete opposite of this. Letting agents know that there is a critical shortage of rental accommodation and know that they can force irrelevant, high unjust and exploitative fees on tenants.

cartercarter

Thanks. I won't lie, some of the responses did leave me a little bit deflated. It's not exactly an open market down here. Limited properties, high agency fees for each. In addition, I haven't seen a single property come with a 12 month contract despite being listed as such on the sites they advertise on. When you call, they tell you otherwise. I will bring it up with councillor and MP. They seem to be able to charge as much as they like now.

Guest101

phill99 wrote: »

But you make an assumption that it is a level playing field and there are more houses for rent than tenants. Sadly it is the complete opposite of this. Letting agents know that there is a critical shortage of rental accommodation and know that they can force irrelevant, high unjust and exploitative fees on tenants.

Agents compete with one another, a LL would be short sighted to sign up to an agent who charges much more than local competitors, as this will put of prospective tenants