A council claims to have researched the charges levied by lettings agencies within its boundaries – and perhaps unsurprisingly says its own agency is the cheapest.

YorHome’s letting fee of 9% for homes in York is the city’s lowest management fee with no extra charges, the council says in a statement, adding that this could save landlords between £700 and £1,930 a year.

New landlords signing up with YorHome could also get free home improvements and 12 months rent up front, and all YorHome’s landlords get their fifth consecutive year fee-free.

Using the example of a two-bedroomed home with an annual rent of £10,800 (that’s equivalent to £900 rent a month), the council insists that, after the 9% fee deduction, letting with YorHome delivered its landlords £9,828 rent a year. The next agent delivered £9,108 a year – £720 a year less – while landlords renting out through the city’s most expensive letting agent would get just £7,895 a year – £1,933 a year less.

YorHome says its single fee of 9% delivers landlords a fully managed, comprehensive letting service including helping prepare the home to be rented; a deposit scheme and deposit registration fee; tenancy agreements and extensions; preparing an inventory and inspecting the property; and paying for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Most other agents charge additional fees for many of these extra services, it adds.

YorHome is looking for empty homes or homes with six months remaining on the lease in York, to support people in York facing homelessness or refugees, such as those from Ukraine.

A council spokesperson says: “We give our landlords what we believe is the best return in the city. With our single management fee, we take care of everything while providing someone a much-needed home in York. The home you let with us could get 12 months’ rent up front and free property improvements, while your fifth consecutive year letting with us will be fee-free.”