Tenants Resources

• Letting agents charge fees to landlords and tenants as part of the services they render on their behalf.. Unfortunately for tenants these fees are passed on to them. When a tenant is seeking or securing rental accommodation, he or she will face a number of fees to pay as a requirement to secure the property before renting.

• For the tenant this means they have to pay hundreds of pounds in extra charges when signing for a property, on top of their security deposit and rent.

• The list of fees ranges from having an exclusive view of the property, mandatory inventory fee, tenancy reference fee, renewal fee, and the letting agent's administration fees. It is reported that tenants can pay up to £350 in fees only. Bear in mind that these fees are not included in the deposit. Recent statistics show that these fees are increasing over the years

• When we say how to find a good landlord, we mean that a landlord can be an individual, a group of people, an estate agent, a rental agent or even a family member.

• Most of us have been in the renting situation at some point in our lives. But landlords today are more demanding, under pressure from their lenders or just for the simple reason of making more money.

• Along with that pressure can come some unethical practices and procedures. I have learnt in all languages possible the meaning of the word honesty. You should understand that in today’s human relations and business dealings the word honesty can come with a different level or rating and appreciation. Some landlords play by the book and you are in for a mountain of paperwork to sign.

• Some are just in it for the money. You can cry out all you want, and they will be waiting for your bank details no matter how tearful you are. So, I can argue that I have seen my fair share of landlords. Landlords change their attitude when tenants think that they are clever. I was a tenant as well as a landlord. I know all the tricks in the book when it comes to finding ways to avoid paying the rent or squeezing money from tenants by any legal means.

• Let’s say that I am a new tenant and I am looking for nice accommodation, low rent, and a brother like landlord. I can stop you there, such qualities do not exist. If it to good to be true, it is probably not true.

• So how to identify an acceptable landlord. I said acceptable because they will never all be perfect. For some the same landlord is the villain and for others he will be the perfect one.

Rule one

• Be wary of landlords who charge over the top fees which can only be found in the small print. They will make sure that the hidden costs are not visible straight away.

• The costly way to find out these hidden fees is when you receive an invoice with “alien entries” I said alien because you will not understand what they are talking about, and secondly you will not be aware that they were in there in the first place.

• Make sure you are aware of:

• Renewal fees.

• End of tenancy fees.

Rule two

• When you are dealing with estate or rental agents, make sure that they are regulated and have protection schemes in place. Why is it important to do so?

• The protection schemes are put in place to increase your protection as a consumer. The schemes ensure that all agents stick to a certain code of conduct. If they fail to do so, they can be prosecuted

• The schemes are:

• Ombudsman Services (Property)

• The Property Ombudsman

• The Property Redress Scheme

• A good respectable rental establishment will display their affiliation to one or all of the schemes to put your mind at rest and to also show that they are regulated.

Rule three

• Make sure that they belong to a money protection scheme.

• The Government has made it illegal for a landlord to hold a tenant’s money without being affiliated to a Client Money Protection Scheme. If the landlord is not, then he is operating illegally. Why? The schemes are designed to protect tenant’s and make it easy to claim compensation where unscrupulous landlord’s do not or cannot repay money due to you because there is a dispute and the landlord has decided that he is entitled to the money. Or because the landlord has gone into administration.

• Either way, they should be registered with one of the following schemes:

• Client Money Protection

• Money Shield

• Property Mark

• RICS Client Money Protection Scheme

• safeagents - providing peace of mind for landlords and tenants

• UK Association of Letting Agents

• Check that the rental or estate agent you plan to use has a clearly displayed certificate on their website or in their office as confirmation of their affiliation to a Client Money Protection Scheme (CPM).

Rule four

• A reputable firm or landlord displays all their credentials that identify its good practice. A well-established landlord or estate/rental agent will not be financially disturbed by the outcome of laws or decisions made by the Government on the housing market Their reputation will speak for itself.

• If you are not sure about your prospective agent, consult various feedback agencies to see if there are any skeletons in their cupboard. You will soon know if their service levels reflect the feedback received by past and present clients.

• Landlords or estate/rental agents who are serious and professional about their portfolio of property management should have a flawless and well-presented website. The website should give the tenant a taste of what they offer.

Rule five

• A good landlord or estate/rental agent will not make you wait unnecessarily. They will be quick to get back to you with useful responses and solutions to help.

• If you have made a query and consequently you are not retuning their call when they tried to return your call or email, they will try their best to contact you to find out if you have found what you needed or still need help.

Rule six

• A good landlord or estate/rental agent will be able to offer different rental packages which are tailored to your financial and family’s needs. They should be able to help you by giving you the best advice possible and they will be competitive with their rates.

Rule seven

• Availability, does the landlord estate/renting agent open early and close late? Is there a flexibility on opening time to allow you to get to their office very early perhaps before going to work, dropping the kids or after work? Do they also open at the weekend? You are most likely to consult or go to visit or contact them at the weekend if you’re a busy person.

• There is more to it when looking for a good landlord. But it you follow these basic rules then you may be lucky in finding a good one.

First worry about your consumer rights

• Online estate agents are gaining more in popularity since you can virtually visit them and compere services all at once. But doing so comes with all the risks any online consumer faces.

• Are you asking yourself if your details are protected

• Are the agents genuine

• If you are not too sure avoid them.

• It is vital to check if your information is being protected according to the Consumer Protection Act. These measures also apply to all types of estate agents and landlords. The same principles apply to all. Your rights are the same online and when dealing with high street rental agents.

• The estate or rental agents should clearly display what type of schemes they belong to on their website or office.

How to identify a good online agent?

• Bear In mind that everything they do has a paper trial. You can copy, take a picture or save every exchange you have with them, so it is very difficult for them not to deliver what they promise or follow good practice with the services they provide. So, you may find out that what they said they will do will be accurate.

• They will make sure that they deliver their services the way they are highlighted on their website or brochure. When looking for a good estate or rental agent, visit popular sites such as Zoopla or Rightmove. You are more likely to be reassured due to their popularity and well-known reputation.

• Also note that online websites are more likely to offer more services due to the low cost of their overheads. They may offer services that allow tenants to access cheap facilities such as looking for affordable content’s insurance, home repairs and so on. You will not have to shop around as the services may have been approved by the online rental or estate agent. It will be an easy and stress-free process to find someone to come to you for repairs or services.

• Another positive point for the online estate or rental agent is that they do not tie you into complicated contracts or force you to enter into a contract. They are more lenient and flexible than the high street agents. You are fully in control of what you do. Leaving or staying with them is your call.

• The online rental agents offer packages that are tailored and cheaper, so shop to around for good deals.

• Government funded, independent advice for residential leaseholders and park home residents

• Setting up tenant’s and resident’s associations in Scotland

• housing association homes

• Free Legal Help for Renters

• Residential Leasehold and Recognised Tenants’ Associations

• Handling Noisy Neighbour Complaints

• Ombudsman housing dispute

• common problems with renting