Letting fees to be banned from June - MSE News

falcieri

Crashy_Time wrote: »

Why not look for a private landlord? We are on the verge of a WTO Brexit, it will be interesting to see how far rent increases actually go.

I am with a private landlord, but it's managed by an agent. And surprise surprise my rent has gone up by £15 a month. That said they forgot to tell me before I renewed this time around so they've had to let me stay at the last rental price until the next renew. My rent is still competative for the area even with the rise so I'll sit it out this time around and see how things pan out longer term.

Crashy_Time

falcieri wrote: »

I am with a private landlord, but it's managed by an agent. And surprise surprise my rent has gone up by £15 a month. That said they forgot to tell me before I renewed this time around so they've had to let me stay at the last rental price until the next renew. My rent is still competative for the area even with the rise so I'll sit it out this time around and see how things pan out longer term.

Good move.

Danny2290

My current tenancy ends on the 31st May, 1 day before the new regulations kick in.

I am being asked by my estate agent to pay a sum of £114.00 before they will draw up my renewal document which they say must be signed before the 30th.

My questions:

1. Can I get out of paying this?
2. If I don't pay this and end up out of contract, what will happen to my tenancy?
3. Currently my renewal would be agreed at the same rental rate. Is there a risk of my rent being increased if I try to not pay this?

Thanks in advance

System

Danny2290 wrote: »

My current tenancy ends on the 31st May, 1 day before the new regulations kick in.

I am being asked by my estate agent to pay a sum of £114.00 before they will draw up my renewal document which they say must be signed before the 30th.

My questions:

1. Can I get out of paying this?
2. If I don't pay this and end up out of contract, what will happen to my tenancy?
3. Currently my renewal would be agreed at the same rental rate. Is there a risk of my rent being increased if I try to not pay this?

Thanks in advance

The legislation is for all new tenancies as of the 1st June, this includes renewals. I would argue that as your tenancy will only start on the 1st they cannot claim the fee, other will argue they can.


have a look at the published guidance notes here


https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/791280/TFA_Guidance_for_Tenants.pdf

missaf

Hi all,

Looking to seek as much advice as I can. Like one of the last replies to the thread my six months is up at the house on 2nd June and I have paid £100 in order to be sent a 12 month FTC agreement for signing, to commence from 3rd June.

My understanding being that if I don't sign it until the 1st June I will not be held liable for any further unnecessary charges, the letting agents are ramping the pressure on and have not only text me but emailed me, reminding me to sign the contract.

I've been in touch with shelter who said the fees will only apply during the FTC if I sign BEFORE 1st June.

Landlord has said he's happy to keep rent the same, I don't want to delay signing if they will threaten to up the rent.

What am I best doing?

** EDIT - I've emailed them telling them that I feel under pressure because contract was only sent Friday to me and reminders came today.

eastcott5

Hi, We are landlords - 1 property, managed at 10%.' Our letting agent so proposing to add a £15 a month charge as a tenant fee levy to cover their charges. They suggest we put the rent up by this amount to cover our costs.- They will of course get 10% of this. This is for all properties in their books including those already let. Our current tenant has been there since Oct 2016 and has paid all his fees and is now ion a rolling contract that has no renewal fee.s property check etc are all covered by the 10%. Why should he pay again? Happy to pay the fees for a new tenant when we need one. Have written a very stroppy letter - no reply yet.

3card

I am a landlord and I actually have a new tenant moving in to one of our properties tomorrow so she as had to pay the current fees.
I used a local family run agent and this was the 1st time I have used them.


I asked one of the owners of the agency what they would be doing after June with regards to the fees. I presumed they were going to pass these costs (or some of them) to the landlords.
The owner told me they are planning to swallow these costs and still not increase the tenant finding fees.


She said the aim is for them to try to carry out some of the referencing themselves to keep these costs down.


Will be interesting to see how other agents cover these 'lost' costs and to see if the plan of action is changed in 12 months time

Crashy_Time

Danny2290 wrote: »

My current tenancy ends on the 31st May, 1 day before the new regulations kick in.

I am being asked by my estate agent to pay a sum of £114.00 before they will draw up my renewal document which they say must be signed before the 30th.

My questions:

1. Can I get out of paying this?
2. If I don't pay this and end up out of contract, what will happen to my tenancy?
3. Currently my renewal would be agreed at the same rental rate. Is there a risk of my rent being increased if I try to not pay this?

Thanks in advance

Easier just to pay it and fix the rent? Round it up to 115 as they may need the money in future.

Mr_Tenant

I recently viewed a property in Manchester and was told the fees for two adults only would be nearly £600. When i asked about fees from the 1st June they said they would be £0 but if i want to secure the property in May they would reduce their fees to £460.
I dont have to move from my current rental until 25th June so i politely declined their generous offer.
I am so glad that greedy estate agents / landlords will now not be in a strong position to exploit people going forward.
The online estate agency open rent which is run by the landlords dont charge any fees for renting a property so why were we all paying for overpriced fees.............because they can get away with it .......but not any more.
I am going to submit a £500 invoice to my next landlord after my checks to see if they are honest and trust worthy............is that fair enough ?
This debate isnt about rogue tenants or landlords or credit checks etc it is about fair charges for a fair service like most of the rest of society.
If i want to rent a car for 12 months i will normally pay for the rent for the car and to fill in the paperwork is usually free or a small admin const if that so why when i rent a car would i want to pay between £400 to £600 before i get my hands on the keys.
Can anyone.........either estate agent. landlord or general member of the public explain or justify this.......you never know i could be converted or proved wrong and would you be willing to pay these fees yourself........please help me understand as i am a poor tenant just trying to stay of the streets. thanks

Comms69

Mr_Tenant wrote: »

I recently viewed a property in Manchester and was told the fees for two adults only would be nearly £600. When i asked about fees from the 1st June they said they would be £0 but if i want to secure the property in May they would reduce their fees to £460.
I dont have to move from my current rental until 25th June so i politely declined their generous offer. - why are you moving on the 25th June?
I am so glad that greedy estate agents / landlords will now not be in a strong position to exploit people going forward. - no-one is exploited. It's a free market
The online estate agency open rent which is run by the landlords dont charge any fees for renting a property so why were we all paying for overpriced fees.............because they can get away with it .......but not any more. - no, because you wanted something someone else had...
I am going to submit a £500 invoice to my next landlord after my checks to see if they are honest and trust worthy............is that fair enough ? - You can do if you want to. But it wont be enforceable
This debate isnt about rogue tenants or landlords or credit checks etc it is about fair charges for a fair service like most of the rest of society. - Nothing 'fair' about it
If i want to rent a car for 12 months i will normally pay for the rent for the car and to fill in the paperwork is usually free or a small admin const if that so why when i rent a car would i want to pay between £400 to £600 before i get my hands on the keys. - you are renting a car specifically from 'the owner', with much fewer legal protections than renting a property...
Can anyone.........either estate agent. landlord or general member of the public explain or justify this....... - yes, it's basic supply and demand. you never know i could be converted or proved wrong and would you be willing to pay these fees yourself........please help me understand as i am a poor tenant just trying to stay of the streets. thanks

Given that it's unlikely you actually have to move by June 25th, I suggest you concentrate your efforts on that