Tenants across the UK have complained that they feel ripped off by letting agents, it has been claimed.
Self-service online agent Upad conducted a survey, which was nationwide with a special emphasis on Scotland, where Shelter has an ongoing Reclaim Your Fees campaign.
In Scotland, agents are not allowed to charge upfront fees, but Shelter says that some have been made to pay for unlawful services. As a result of its campaign, around 870 people have begun legal proceedings.
The Upad survey asked tenants across the UK what the most pressing issue was nowadays and discovered that high deposits and getting them returned was one of the biggest factors.
A significant proportion of tenants claimed that they were made to pay a 12-months or longer deposit.
The survey revealed that while 73% of respondents across the UK rented property through a lettings agent, 93% of this number felt they were being charged sky-high fees, and 79% said that the level of service they received did not reflect the fees they paid.
One respondent said they paid £444 for a very slow reference check.
When asked how much they paid to move into their current property excluding rent and deposit, a number of respondents said they paid up to £5,000.
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Comments
Hi,
Just read this article and I am totally baffled what is the £5,000 for???? If it's excluding rent and a deposit, is it for agent fees. This is just ridiculous we have a branch and charge no where near this for our traditional agency fees!? Tenant fees are approx from £75 - £500 depending on agency and location (from my experience). Which includes referencing, tenancy agreements, deposit protection and even an inventory, unless we are talking serious high end rentals but even then £5K?!?
I mean I understand UPAD want to put down traditional estate agencies but honestly... could we know who carried out this survey, UPAD on their own or was it a market research company, how many tenants were asked and responded? I am sure the Property Ombudsmen, NLA, ARLA or RLA would love to check if these agents are regulated and will investigate if they are charging £5,000 tenant fees and 12 month deposits?
As an experienced letting agent the only thing I can think they are meaning is if a student with no guarantor rented a property from our Landlords. They may pay 6 months rent in advance. Who knows but would love to know what they are meaning.. especially as a significant number of tenants seems to pay this according to UPAD?
Thanks
Louise