Check Out Fees?

Spriggan

I'm leaving a rented tenancy in a few weeks, and I've been notified that I'm going to be charged a "check out fee" of £140.

Because my tenancy began before the new laws about fees came into effect, I do understand that they are still able to merrily charge me what they like, but I wondered if there was any point in querying it? Do I have any room to manoeuvre? I've given the right amount of notice, and (as instructed) am paying for a professional cleaner etc, so it's clearly a charge for nothing at all. But I don't want to get myself stressed out about fighting if there's no hope!

need_an_answer

Fees can be charged until the end of may 2020 if they were part of your agreement that was signed before june 2019

csgohan4

what does it say in your contract regarding the cost of the check out fee, I can't see it from here

buggy_boy

Spriggan wrote: »

I'm leaving a rented tenancy in a few weeks, and I've been notified that I'm going to be charged a "check out fee" of £140.

Because my tenancy began before the new laws about fees came into effect, I do understand that they are still able to merrily charge me what they like, but I wondered if there was any point in querying it? Do I have any room to manoeuvre? I've given the right amount of notice, and (as instructed) am paying for a professional cleaner etc, so it's clearly a charge for nothing at all. But I don't want to get myself stressed out about fighting if there's no hope!

What does it say in your contract?

I suspect though you are liable, you could ask for a breakdown of those fees to fully understand what you are paying for but I suspect either the letting agent will say admin fees and checking the property or just refuse to tell you.

Unfortunately now after you signed the contract and agreed to pay the checkout fee is not the time to argue it. Most mortgages have exit fees, for effectively nothing.

Spriggan

As I've said, I do get that they are basically entitled to charge these fees. They are unfair (which I guess is why they've finally been banned), but they can do it. My question really was whether anyone had had any luck negotiating around them, especially now they won't be able to charge them in future.

csgohan4

Spriggan wrote: »

As I've said, I do get that they are basically entitled to charge these fees. They are unfair (which I guess is why they've finally been banned), but they can do it. My question really was whether anyone had had any luck negotiating around them, especially now they won't be able to charge them in future.

Too late to renogetiate, you had signed the contract without looking at the fees in depth

Spriggan

csgohan4 wrote: »

Too late to renogetiate, you had signed the contract without looking at the fees in depth

No, I didn't. I knew exactly what I was signing. But 3 years ago it was the law that they could charge them, so what exactly was I supposed to do about that? And - as I said - yeah I get that's still the case. But I also know that fighting your corner occasionally gets you somewhere. I want to hear if anyone has been in this position and had any luck with that. But you're free to stop responding!

csgohan4

Spriggan wrote: »

No, I didn't. I knew exactly what I was signing. But 3 years ago it was the law that they could charge them, so what exactly was I supposed to do about that? And - as I said - yeah I get that's still the case. But I also know that fighting your corner occasionally gets you somewhere. I want to hear if anyone has been in this position and had any luck with that. But you're free to stop responding!

So you get defensive when you get a reply that you don't want to hear.

BY all means phone the estate agent on Monday and say you don't want to pay that much, but they will likely point out you agreed to the amount and if you fail to pay, take it from your deposit or through a small claims court.

We are not here to tell you what you want to hear

Article is clear on when the fees were to be banned from and I assume you have read that and makes your fees still applicable? Just as you read your contract from 3 years ago yes?

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2019/05/letting-fees-ban---here-s-what-you-need-to-know/

Fighting against a signed contract which is still valid is futile.

G_M

Spriggan wrote: »

As I've said, I do get that they are basically entitled to charge these fees. They are unfair (which I guess is why they've finally been banned), but they can do it. My question really was whether anyone had had any luck negotiating around them, especially now they won't be able to charge them in future.

If you want help, why not answer the questions asked of you. Without knowing the facts, no one here can help.

what does it say in your contract regarding the cost of the check out fee, I can't see it from here

Spriggan

Ok! Guess that’s my answer. Glad they’ve changed the law on this, and if I have to be one of the last unlucky few then so be it!