Renewing of contract - £75 Admin fees

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Today I popped into my estate agents because I noticed the date and knew the contract would have to be renewed. I rang them up and let them know I’ll be coming by.

When I turned up I had to wait 10 minutes although I had told them the day before I would be coming. Then I had the contract printed out in front of me and was quickly told to read through it and sign.

After signing I was told that it would cost £75.00 and I need to pay it ASAP. I didn’t have the money right then so they said I could drop it by whenever. I don’t understand why it cost 75 pound to hit the print button right in front of me. Do I have to pay?

Thanks for reading,
Regards Tim

[MrShed]

What did it say about renewal in the previous contract?

[undefined]

Originally Posted by MrShed

What did it say about renewal in the previous contract?

Hi,

Just checked the old contract and there is nothing about the renewal of the contract.

I was just told after I signed it that it would cost £75.00.

Thanks

[MrShed]

In that case, they cannot enforce such a payment. Do you have a copy of the agreement, signed by the letting agent/landlord? IE the new agreement?

[undefined]

Originally Posted by MrShed

In that case, they cannot enforce such a payment. Do you have a copy of the agreement, signed by the letting agent/landlord? IE the new agreement?

Yes. However they did say there was a notice about this and it had been posted. Yet I have not recieved no such letter.

[MrShed]

I wouldnt believe any such thing. Ask him to produce proof of postage. I would simply tell them that you are not going to pay the fee, as there was no fee mentioned until after the service was carried out, and they cannot charge retrospectively a fee that was not agreed. Say, politely but firmly, that you do not believe you have any obligation to pay the fee, and as such if he wishes to recover it you would suggest he take legal action against you - which of course he would lose, but I suspect he wouldnt go ahead with such an action anyway.

[hebangsthedrums]

Our letting agent tried to get us to pay this when we renewed our contract in our student house for a second year - 'holding fee' they called it. 75*6 would have netted them a nice wedge but we just ignored it. They called after we had verbally said we were staying and we put it off then when we had signed the contract a few days later we asked why a holding fee was necessary when they had already got a commitment from us. 'But students always have to pay it' - thieving sods