Renters advised to check letting agent fees

News Category: Industry News

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People who are looking to rent a house via a letting agent have been advised to ask about the fees they are charged.

According to Penny Anderson, who writes a blog about renting via a letting agent, the fees tenants are charged "defy the laws of economics".

Writing for the Guardian, she commented: "I half suspect they make them up as they go along, daring each other to see what they can get away with."

Housing charity Shelter suggested the fees charged by letting agents should paid by the landlord rather than the tenant.

Shelter's chief executive Campbell Robb said people looking to rent a house must ask about the fees before being given the keys to the property, as then it is often too late to avoid paying them.

This comes after Fergus and Judith Wilson, who have about 40 years of experience as landlords between them, advised property owners to use letting agents to rent out their houses.

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