Ban on letting agents’ tenant fees

As was widely-reported and subsequently consulted upon by the Department for Communities and Local Government earlier in the year, the Government’s announcement in its 2016 Autumn Statement that letting agents’ fees would be banned is coming to fruition. 1 November 2017 saw the draft Tenant Fees Bill introduced to Parliament.

At first glance of the bill, which still has several more phases to get through in Parliament before it becomes law and is implemented, the principal points to be aware of are:

  • A cap on holding deposits at a maximum of one week’s rent and security deposits at six weeks’ rent.
  • £5,000 fines on individuals who breach the ban.
  • If there are two or more contraventions of the law within five years, fines can extend up to £30,000 or criminal prosecution.
  • Letting agents will be prohibited from double-charging landlords and tenants for the same services. Local authority trading standards teams will enforce the ban.
  • Tenants will be able to recover unlawfully charged fees.

At the time of announcing the Tenant Fees Bill, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid MP said: “Tenants should no longer be hit by surprise fees they may struggle to afford and should only be required to pay their rent alongside a refundable deposit. We’re delivering on our promise to ban letting agent fees, alongside other measures to make renting fairer and increase protection for renters.

The Government’s full press release to accompany the release and a copy of the Tenant Fees Bill (alongside explanatory notes) can be viewed at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-action-to-end-letting-agent-fees

We will publish an update once the Bill progresses past its Report Stage in Parliament.


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