Letting Agents
Discussion
My Sis has sold her place, split with her BF and is looking at renting for a while.
She has seen a place she likes and apart from the £1k deposit and one months rent in advance the letting agents also want £100 to do an experian credit check (experian advertise this service for free currently so I very much doubt they charge business £100 each time) and they are also telling her that she will have to have their contents insurance cover at at £600 for the year.
Taking the pee, legal even?
All advice welcome.
TIA
She has seen a place she likes and apart from the £1k deposit and one months rent in advance the letting agents also want £100 to do an experian credit check (experian advertise this service for free currently so I very much doubt they charge business £100 each time) and they are also telling her that she will have to have their contents insurance cover at at £600 for the year.
Taking the pee, legal even?
All advice welcome.
TIA
k off.I'd never pay THEIR content's insurance, it can only be a way of making extra money. What do the agents care if your stuff gets stolen? It has no impact on them, the LL will always have property insurance anyway so where's the need?
Sounds like a shady agent, see if there's another agency letting the same property or if an agent you trust knows the land lord, they might be able to take it of the other agents hands.
Sounds like a shady agent, see if there's another agency letting the same property or if an agent you trust knows the land lord, they might be able to take it of the other agents hands.
I believe there is also an applicants fee in addition to the £100 charge for the credit check.
I didn't think that a letting agent could dictate that you have to take their insurance, as long as you have proof of cover you should be able to arrange your own.
IIRC it is illegal for a Mortgage lender to dictate that you can only accept the insurance they provide, why should it be any different with a letting agent?
I didn't think that a letting agent could dictate that you have to take their insurance, as long as you have proof of cover you should be able to arrange your own.
IIRC it is illegal for a Mortgage lender to dictate that you can only accept the insurance they provide, why should it be any different with a letting agent?
Kentish said:
My Sis has sold her place, split with her BF and is looking at renting for a while.
She has seen a place she likes and apart from the £1k deposit and one months rent in advance the letting agents also want £100 to do an experian credit check (experian advertise this service for free currently so I very much doubt they charge business £100 each time) and they are also telling her that she will have to have their contents insurance cover at at £600 for the year.
Taking the pee, legal even?
All advice welcome.
TIA
Insurance is a pee take, credit check fees are negotiable I would assume.She has seen a place she likes and apart from the £1k deposit and one months rent in advance the letting agents also want £100 to do an experian credit check (experian advertise this service for free currently so I very much doubt they charge business £100 each time) and they are also telling her that she will have to have their contents insurance cover at at £600 for the year.
Taking the pee, legal even?
All advice welcome.
TIA
Walk away.
I moved a few weeks ago.
On top of paying for professional cleaning, and a third party to inventory and inspect the place when I left, I was told there was a £140 'Check out fee'.
Not mentioned in the contract, although they pointed to some diaphanous 'all reasonable expenses' clause.
An interestingly frank discussion ensued.
I didn't pay it.
On top of paying for professional cleaning, and a third party to inventory and inspect the place when I left, I was told there was a £140 'Check out fee'.
Not mentioned in the contract, although they pointed to some diaphanous 'all reasonable expenses' clause.
An interestingly frank discussion ensued.
I didn't pay it.
Justayellowbadge said:
Kentish said:
Actually, it gets better!
They apparently also insist on a Guarantor who they charge £25 a week to independently regardless of whether or not the tenant defaults on rent.
That's an insurance policy. All letting agents seem to use the same mob.They apparently also insist on a Guarantor who they charge £25 a week to independently regardless of whether or not the tenant defaults on rent.
'kin hell!
I'm in the wrong game!
Shouldn't they charge the tenant this in with the rent and does such a policy REALLY cost £1300 a year?
It does not surprise me that they are charging for a credit check. The pee merchants we talked to 4 years ago were doing the same thing in Bristol. Praying on people who don't know better. I used to think student letting agencies were worse than drinking satan's p*ss but letting agents and estate agents are worse in terms of charge the earth and do nothing attitude.
In my opinion you should look elsewhere as if you refuse their insurance you can bet your ass you'll be 600 down on the deposit if you get any back.
Be more suspicious of them than they are of you!
Coanda
In my opinion you should look elsewhere as if you refuse their insurance you can bet your ass you'll be 600 down on the deposit if you get any back.
Be more suspicious of them than they are of you!
Coanda
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