Come the 1st June BOTH Private Landlords AND Agents can no longer charge fees to tenants. Predictions are that this could save a whopping 240 Million per year in tenants fees.
When the Ban comes into place on the 1st June we can no longer charge fees for the following:
Referencing
Credit checks
Check in / Check out and inventories
Deposit registration
Administration and paperwork relating to tenancies.
The Landlord can’t enforce any additional product or services in order to attempt to recoup these costs (Unless they are listed in the legislation) AND listed in the contract such as:- Utilities – payment to a Billing Authority such as Council Tax – TV Licence or for communications. The Landlord will not be able to charge inflated 1st month rent to cover any lost fees.
Rents and deposits are not effected and can be paid as normal with deposits capped at 5 weeks rent – OR if the annual rent is 50k or more then deposit can be 6 weeks rent.
Holding deposits:
These ARE allowed and limited to maximum of 1 weeks rent.
The person taking the holding deposit MUST repay it within 7 days of the Landlord and Tenant entering into the tenancy agreement, OR the Landlord deciding NOT to enter into the agreement.
Exceptions – With the consent of the person paying the holding deposit, it can be used to pay towards the first months rent OR towards the tenancy deposit (which will need to be registered in the normal manner).
Holding deposits CAN be retained by the Landlord or Agent in the following circumstances:
Landlord is prohibited by Immigration to allow the tenant a tenancy
Tenant decides not to enter into a tenancy agreement or fails to take steps to do so within the agreed time.
If the tenant provides false or misleading information
Payments for defaults in the tenancy are also permitted under certain circumstances:
Tenant loss of keys, damage to any security system. Only the cost of replacement can be claimed and the Landlord would require proof, any extra payment on top would be unlawful
Late payment charges are permitted after 14 days from the due rent date capped at 3% per annum above B.O.E Rates.
Early termination of contract fees CAN be charged to the value of the loss to the landlord in the following circumstances:
At the tenants request of early termination before the end of a fixed term.
In the event of a tenant failing to give the correct contractual notice during a periodic tenancy. Change and variations to tenancies can be charged up to £50 if it is more than this, then the Landlord will need to demonstrate the value of the cost.