The Tenant Fee Act 2019
From 1st June 2019 letting agents in England will only be able to make permitted payments to tenants. Permitted payments as defined under the legislation only include the following:
- The rent.
- Refundable tenancy deposit – capped at no more than five week’s rent where the annual rent is less than £50,000 or 6 weeks’ where the total rent is £50,000 or above.
- Holding deposit – capped at no more than one week’s rent. This fee is non-refundable should you decide not to progress your application/sign your tenancy agreement within 15 Calendar days (unless otherwise mutually agreed) or if you have given false/misleading information on the application form or any applicant fails a Right to Rent check. It will be returned to you in the event the landlord is unable to proceed.
- Payments to change the tenancy – where requested by the tenant capped at £50 inc vat (or reasonable costs if higher).
- Payments associated with early termination of the tenancy – where requested by the tenant. This must not exceed the financial loss that a landlord may suffer or reasonable costs that have been incurred by the landlord’s agent resulting from an agreement for the tenant to leave early.
- Payments for utilities, communication services, TV licence and Council Tax.
- Variation of Contract (At Tenant’s Request and if agreed by Landlord) £50 inc vat to cover agent’s costs in contacting landlord, taking landlord instructions & preparations of new contracts (if required) & system adjustments.
- If authorisation is given allowing you to vacate the premises before the expiration of any tenancy agreement, you may be liable for the following: 8.1) Rent up to the date on which the premises are re-let or the expiration of the tenancy agreement, whichever is the sooner. 8.2) Council tax, water rates, gas and electricity charges along with any other bills which are your responsibility under the tenancy agreement up to the date the premises are re-let, or the expiration of the tenancy agreement, whichever is the sooner. 8.3) There will be a charge, if appropriate, for the landlord’s costs for re-letting the property. 8.4) These costs will be no more than the maximum amount of rent outstanding.
- Default fee for late payment of rent and replacement of lost key/security devices, where required, under a tenancy agreement – default fees can only apply when this has been written into the tenancy agreement and covers late payment of rent, a lost key or security device. The amount of default fee is limited to 3% over the Bank of England base rate for each date that the payment is outstanding and applies to rent which is more than 14 days overdue. Any other fee or charge to a tenant would be classed as a prohibited payment.
- Other permitted payments. Any other permitted payments not included above, for breaches of contract or under the relevant legislation including contractual damages.
Please note: Should you report a maintenance issue with the property and a contractor is called out and their investigations find that the fault has been caused by the tenant/s or an associate of the tenant/s, or alternatively no fault exists, any cost for this call out will be the responsibility of the tenant/s. Adore Properties Ltd reserve the right to deduct any unpaid monies from the deposit.
ALL FEES INCLUDE VAT AT THE CURRENT RATE, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON OUR FEES, PLEASE ASK A MEMBER OF STAFF.
Statement – The Consumer Rights Act 2015
For your protection, all Landlord and Tenant monies are held in a protected client account with Barclays Bank Plc. Adore Properties Ltd does not hold Client Money Protection Insurance.
Tenant Fees for pre 1st June 2019 Tenancies
Explanation of our tenant fees permitted under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 transitional provisions, where fees are written into existing tenancy agreements. These apply to all tenancy agreements granted or signed and executed before 31st May 2019, and can be charged up until 31st May 2020
When you decide to rent a home, you need to budget not just for the monthly rent and household bills, but also the initial costs. Your agent will normally ask you to pay a deposit and an administration charge in addition to the first months’ rent. A full breakdown of our fees can be found further down this page.
Before you move in:
Set up fee £200.00 first applicant
Referencing (identity, immigration and visa confirmation, financial credit checks, obtaining references from current or previous employers/landlords and any other relevant information to assess affordability) as well as contract negotiation (amending and agreeing terms) and arranging the tenancy and agreement. See T&C’s
Additional Tenant Fee £100.00 per tenant
Processing the application, associated paperwork and referencing
Guarantor Fee £60.00 per guarantor (if required)
Covering credit referencing and preparing a Deed of Guarantee as part of the Tenancy Agreement
Permitted Occupier Fee: £24.00
Explaining to any permitted occupier their rights and responsibilities towards the named tenant(s) and landlord as well as the provision of documentary guidance and assistance during the tenancy
Accompanied Check-in Fee: £24.00
Attending the property, Explaining how appliances function and taking meter readings for utilities and services
Pet Deposit: Additional security deposit £100.00
To cover the added risk of property damage. This will be protected in a government approved scheme and is returnable at the end of your tenancy
DURING YOUR TENANCY:
Amendment Fee: £24.00
Contract negotiation, amending terms and updating your tenancy agreement during your tenancy
Renewal Fee 6 Months: £80.00
Contract negotiation, amending and updating terms and arranging a further tenancy and agreement
Renewal Fee 12 Months: £100.00
Contract negotiation, amending and updating terms and arranging a further tenancy and agreement
Renewal Fee Periodic tenancy: £60.00
A one off fee to cover contract negotiation, amending and updating terms and altering administration records
Check Out Fee: £60.00
Attending the property to undertake an updated Schedule of Condition based on the original inventory and negotiating the repayment of the security deposit
Future Landlord Reference Fee: £24.00 per reference request
Collating information and preparing a reference for a future landlord or letting the agent
OTHER FEES AND CHARGES:
Out of Hours services: £60.00 per hour
Where actions of the tenant results in the agent (or nominated contractor) attending the property to remedy the situation is charged at the prevailing rate
Duplicate Tenancy Agreement: £24.00
Return visit due to unsatisfactory condition or non-attendance at an arranged property inspection visit £24.00
Charge For Rent Payments Paid Via Credit Card: 3.3%
N.B. RENTS PAID VIA DEBIT CARD, DIRECT TRANSFER AND STANDING ORDER ARE FREE OF ADDITIONAL CHARGE
Aborted Notice Fee: £90.00
If a tenant wishes to stay on at a property, despite having given written notice, then they will also be liable for all the costs incurred by the incoming occupant
Unpaid Rent/Returned Payments: Interest at 8% pa from date due
Professional Cleaning (if required): £30.00 per hour which will be deducted from the Security Deposit
Only charged where professional cleaning is necessary to return the property to the same condition as at the start of the tenancy
Repeat Visits Following Final Inspection to Inspect Works Carried Out by Tenant: £60.00
Adding Additional Tenant With Landlord’s Consent: £120.00