Round #987

The letting agent is asking me to pay £250 for "referencing and admin" before I sign the tenancy. Is that allowed?

In the UK, the rules around letting agent fees changed in 2019. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 prohibits letting agents from charging tenants certain fees, including: 1. Fees for referencing 2. Fees for administration 3. Fees for credit checks 4. Fees for guarantor checks 5. Fees for inventory checks 6. Fees for check-in or check-out The only fees that letting agents can charge tenants are: 1. Rent 2. Deposits (capped at 5 weeks' rent) 3. Holding deposits (capped at 1 week's rent) 4. Payments for utilities, council tax, and other services In your case, the £250 "referencing and admin" fee is likely prohibited under the Tenant Fees Act 2019. You should not be charged this fee. You can respond to the letting agent by: 1. Politely declining to pay the fee, citing the Tenant Fees Act 2019. 2. Asking them to explain the fee and how it complies with the Act. 3. Reporting the agent to the relevant authorities, such as Trading Standards or the local council, if they insist on charging the fee. Remember, you should not be charged for referencing, admin, or other prohibited fees. If you're unsure, you can seek advice from a local citizens' advice bureau, a housing charity, or a solicitor specializing in landlord and tenant law.

No.