Letting agents fees

[princess jane]

Me and my OH are on the hunt for a new house, but, as per, are being asked for to pay through the nose for someone to tell us a house benefits from radiators and give us a contract to sign.

I'm sure we should be entitled to ask for a breakdown of these "admin" charges, but I'm not sure of the relevant law to quote.

Can anyone help me find out why I am being asked to pay £287.50 to be shown round a flat and decide I want to live there?

[MrShed]

At what point exactly are they charging you? This is slightly different to other issues like relevant laws - you have not yet taken out a contract with them, and to take out a contract you pay the fees. You are not obligated to pay, you simply walk away. You will be flogging a dead horse to try and get them to reduce their fees - just go with someone else. As I see you are in the newcastle area, if you PM me with what specific area you are looking to move to, I may be able to advise a letting agent.

[princess jane]

If we decide to take the property on we must pay the aforementioned admin fee - haven't met with the agent yet as it's all been web-based, so not sure what it covers - assuming credit checks and similar (£5 from Equifax humph humph)

PMS.

[rosysparkle]

Letsure's comprehensive referencing service costs considerably more to an agent han £5, and covers more than an Equifax search would do. I should imagine other referencing agencies charge similar to Letsure, it being a competitive market.

You shouldn't be charged any fees before you are shown round properties, though, only once you decide to apply for a particular property.

[princess jane]

I accept, as with everything in life, there will be fees, but am asking if I am entitled to ask for a breakdown of this admin charges, and under what law I could make this request.

I would be interested to know what kind of checks are being carried out which would be more comprehensive than an Equifax credit check.

Through work, I have my CRB certificate, if that helps

[MrShed]

I think the problem is that once you ask for a breakdown they may just back away - they have no obligation to give it prior to the contract if you know what I mean. Not a cut and dry situation. Have you considered just searching for private landlords?

[rosysparkle]

Letsure's comprehensive referencing covers employment refs, previous landlord refs, (if applicable), credit searches, risk score, fraud warnings, electoral roll, linked address and identity checks, public information held, bank account information and affordability. Other referencing agencies will probably do similar.

I can't say if you are entitled to a breakdown of the fees, I don't think so but someone may know for certain.

[jaocheu]

The basics is, you are in no way obliged to pay any fees, and they are in no way obliged to give you the contact number of the landlord.

The question is can you find the landlord without them and approach him privately.

[thejanegirl]

Originally Posted by jaocheu

The question is can you find the landlord without them and approach him privately.

Their mobile numbers were in the window of the property, so we are going to give that a try, as it was a nice flat in a decent estate, and they are app prepared to provide brand new furniture - not Granny's cast-offs as previous landlords have done.

The almost £300 of admin fees to the letting agent are to run Experian credit checks on us both - and the letting agent admitted the only thing they would be looking for was CCJs - a letter from our current landlord, a letter from my employer and copies of my partner's tax-returns as he is self employmened.

Not exactly value for money IMO.