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Letting agent fees

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Looking to move to a property in England (from Scotland). Have seen a place im very interested in, but have noticed that in the property description, there is an admin fee and a credit check fee.

I thought that these type of fees were now illegal?

Having said that, I'm worried that if I question it, they will simply let the property to someone else.

Anyone been in this situation, and advise how you dealt with it? 
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Comments

  • greatcrested
    greatcrested Posts: 5,925 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 20 October 2020 at 10:08PM
    Yes illegal.
    If you query it, they may simply not let to you ("Bl**dy trouble-maker!").
    Pay it then reclaim after you have the tenancy signed. See


  • Yes illegal.
    If you query it, they may simply not let to you ("Bl**dy trouble-maker!").
    Pay it then reclaim after you have the tenancy signed. See


    Yeah thanks, I'd already had a look at that. As I said, didn't want to lose the property, and was interested in how others have dealt with it. Also how much difficulty they've had claiming it back. 

    Also worried that if I don't declare the issue before signing the let, it would nul my right to appeal it?
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    CHances are it's a disclaimer they use - and only applies for non AST properties
  • Comms69 said:
    CHances are it's a disclaimer they use - and only applies for non AST properties
    Not sure I follow. Can you expand?
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Comms69 said:
    CHances are it's a disclaimer they use - and only applies for non AST properties
    Not sure I follow. Can you expand?
    Fees are only banned for tenancies which are Assured Shorthold. Commercial tenancies and a few others can still be charged - it's likely a disclaimer which they include in all adverts
  • fishpond
    fishpond Posts: 1,022 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    My thoughts
    Charging fees to Tenants is illegal in England.
    But, until an AST contract is signed you are not a tenant of that property---so is it still illegal??
    Over to someone who may know the legal answer.
    I am a LandLord,(under review) so there!:p
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    fishpond said:
    My thoughts
    Charging fees to Tenants is illegal in England.
    But, until an AST contract is signed you are not a tenant of that property---so is it still illegal??
    Over to someone who may know the legal answer.
    Yes, they are illegal. The terminology you use is the media friendly version. 
  • Bangers_and_Mash
    Bangers_and_Mash Posts: 43 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 21 October 2020 at 11:53AM
    Comms69 said:
    Comms69 said:
    CHances are it's a disclaimer they use - and only applies for non AST properties
    Not sure I follow. Can you expand?
    Fees are only banned for tenancies which are Assured Shorthold. Commercial tenancies and a few others can still be charged - it's likely a disclaimer which they include in all adverts
    Ok, I get you now, thanks.
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Tell the agent you are interested, but don't understand the fees mentioned? Their reply will tell you if the agent is a cowboy or amateur. 
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • macman said:
    Tell the agent you are interested, but don't understand the fees mentioned? Their reply will tell you if the agent is a cowboy or amateur. 
    Company formed 80 years ago, so seemingly well-established.

    Had a look at other properties, and the fee amount varies, presumably depending on property price, so don't Think it is a basic disclaimer.

    As I said previously, I'm unsure of bringing it up with the agent, as the property seems to have a lot of interest, and I don't want them to reject my application because if it.


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