'Independant' Agents

aldino2015

Hello,

Looking to rent a property (London) and found a place on Gumtree that was listed as private, but turns out it is managed by an 'Independant agent'.

I have viewed the property, met the current tenant as well as the agent. They all seem legit. To secure the property the agent is charging £150 per person for a holding deposit/reference checks/admin fees. If references fail then the money is not returned.

Firstly is this Independant agent common? I have been trying to avoid estate agents as I don't trust them and don't agree with paying them fees. I really want this property though.

Secondly if the reference did fail, is it right/legal that he could keep all the money instead of just the reference costs? No contract or anything has/will be signed until at least after the reference checks.

Thanks.

marksoton

Independent agent just means they're a small business i.e don't have many branches.

They can charge you what they want. It's whether you're willing to pay.

Cakeguts

You are thinking of giving money to someone for a flat that was advertised as private but turned out not to be? What else is going to turn out not to be what it seems?

If the flat is cheap for the area that it is in then don't give anybody any money.

G_M

'Independant agent' means nothing other than it is probobly not part of a national chain.

Check:


Since 1st October 2014, the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 S83 requires letting agents in England to sign up to one of 3 schemes:

* The Property Ombudsman
* Ombudsman Services Property
* Property Redress Scheme

Additionally, check for membership of:

· Association of Residential Letting Agents
· National Approved Letting Scheme
· Association Professional Inventory Providers
-Safe Agent - Fully Endorsed

These are voluntary but are an indication of professionalism, and provide some limited additional protection.


There is advice for tenants looking for a reputable letting agent here:

BBC: (how to protect yourself from 'cowboys')

Shelter: (complaints about letting agents)

See also 'How To Rent' (gov advice).

Pixie5740

I wonder if this independent agents is actually one of those people who rent properties and then sublet them to other people....

Guest101

Guaranteed rental agents are typically the worst.