The Department for Communities and Local Government has published a consultation to seek views on its plans to implement a ban on letting agent fees paid by tenants. The motivation behind this move is to stimulate competition in the private sector whilst also providing clarity on tenant costs.
Fees charged by letting agents to tenants typically relate to:
• Inventory services
• Contract negotiations
• Seeking references
In 2014-15, on average, the letting fee paid by tenants per tenancy was 223. Letting agents fees have been banned in Scotland.
The consultation is open to tenants, landlords, letting agents and any other interested party, and ends on 2 June 2017. If you wish to comment on the plans, click here to go to the consultation page.