Consumer group Citizens Advice has moved to give its backing to confirmation in the Queen’s Speech of the upcoming ban on letting agents’ fees levied on tenants in England.
Ban on Fees
Gillian Guy, chief executive of the organisation, noted: ‘Citizens Advice has long called for a ban on letting agent fees with people paying an average of £400 to letting agents for standard administration, such as carrying out references and credit checks. It’s important that this ban covers all fees.’[1]
‘Seventy four per cent of private renters with children have experienced problems with the quality of their home, including broken heating and no hot water. So we’d also like the government to look at improving the quality of housing in the private rented sector, by introducing maximum timescales for landlords and letting agents to carry out repairs,’ she continued.[1]
Citizen’s Advice welcomes ban on agent fees
Poll
Earlier this year, Citizens Advice commissioned a survey of 2,000 tenants which was in association with You Gov. Results found that of those households earning £50,000 or more, 69% paid money to their agents, with 9% paying in excess of £1,000.
19% paid between £500 and £999, with 20% paying between £250 and £499.
In addition, 51% of private sector tenants with a household income of £50,000 or more said that they had experienced issues with damp or mould in their property.
One fifth also said that they had a rodent or other animal infestation.
[1] https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2017/6/consumer-group-welcomes-confirmed-ban-on-letting-agents-fees