Unfair 'administration' fee?

8david5

I am a student in Edinburgh staying in a flat of five.

We renewed our 12 month lease for next year today.

However, we have had to pay an 'administration fee' of 30 pounds per tenant (ie 150 pounds).

As we are existing tenants this does not strike me as being fair since it doesn't in any way reflect the amount of time/effort that will have to be spent on our renewal application.

Does anyone know what the legal position is in this regard? Is there anything we can do?


Thanks!!!

Doozergirl

If you simply allow the tenancy to lapse and roll over, it still continues on the same terms, it just means that you can give 1 full rent month's notice, the landlord can give you 2 full rent month's notice. The £30 is simply to secure the term for 12 months. Depending on whether you absolutely require the security of that 12 month term, you can avoid the fee altogether.

The charge is for their 'admin'. Whatever :rolleyes: But if you want the full 12 months with no chance of the LL serving you with notice, you have to pay.

There is some choice, at least

8david5

Thanks for your reply!

Just to clarify a few more points as I'm still a little confused!

We didn't just let the lease run out... it doesn't actually expire until July. We are signing the new lease which is to run from July 08 to July 09.
One tenant will also be changing (don't know if that makes any difference).

Also if we sign a lease that has the dates clearly written on it why do we need to pay another 30 pounds each? Who does the money go to?

And finally!!!!! (sorry for being awkard!) if it is for this purpose of security then why do they call it an administration fee? That is far more annoying than telling the truth.


Thanks again for all your help!

8david5

Thanks for your reply!

Just to clarify a few more points as I'm still a little confused!

We didn't just let the lease run out... it doesn't actually expire until July. We are signing the new lease which is to run from July 08 to July 09.

One tenant will also be changing (don't know if that makes any difference).

Also if we sign a lease that has the dates clearly written on it why do we need to pay another 30 pounds each? Who does the money go to?

And finally!!!!! (sorry for being awkard!) if it is for this purpose of security then why do they call it an administration fee? That is far more annoying than telling the truth.


Thanks again for all your help!

8david5

Sorry for posting twice... I'm new to this.