Can anybody help? Estate Agent upselling and

iceangel8

My daughter has been blackmailed by the estate agent saying if she doesn't take out a zero deposit scheme she can't have the  apartment as the landlord wants to rent out with zero deposit however there is no advantage to zero deposit for a landlord just commission for the agent.  She agreed now she sent the holding deposit the agent insists she has  to take out BODE insurance.  Any ideas what she can do.  This is disgusting practice to blackmail her into buying additional products just to rent an apartment.  Its at least over £1000 additional.  

Herzlos

I don't think it's blackmail, she's being offered a rental with terms. She either agrees and pays the various fees or she refuses and finds another estate agent or rental.

The BODE part is strange though, because that's a company and nothing in the tenant insurance is of any value to the landlord. Do you think they are just pushing for a comission on it? I wonder if she can get away with taking it out and cancelling within the 14 day cooling off period. 

iceangel8

They are pushing the BODE for commission.  I just didn't think they could insist so I'll check terms and conditions to see if she can cancel. It's absolutely dreadful practice