Letting Agency "Fee"

[Marty Funkhouser]

Agreed to take a flat in Oxford, fine the agent says, when you've paid the "Agency Fee" we'll take it off the market.

£393.93 - non refundable & its a straight payment to the letting agency so its not like it will come off my deposit.....

Is this normal?????

[Original Poster]

Yes.

[Scott330ci]

Yes

I paid around £350 or something stupid for checks etc.

[Marty Funkhouser]

Thing is, we cant sign the tenancy agreement til next week so they were basically threatening us that it would go if they showed it over today & tomorrow (which I can believe as flats in oxford are unbelievably popular at the moment)...

[okgo]

Yes. It's normal, although VERY expensive, more than Foxtons for instance, which few are.

[okgo]

I'm sure he's not told us, but I would imagine it is to do the above. Otherwise, as said, say no.

[iggletiggle]

Yep normal..

Just paid £125 each for the new flat in Colchester.. (SWMBO and I - £125 each = £250 Total)

I thought that was daylight robbery!

[okgo]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

[Marty Funkhouser]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

It feels like I've been blackamiled to be honest. Add the fact that the agnets have been shambolic in their dealings (never calling back, and taking 2 days to tell me that they landlord will take my full offer). I'm sort of over a barrel to be honest as I cant risk losing it before signing the contract.

[okgo]

ask them what you're paying for ffs.

If its not for refrences, or credit checks of admin fee's then its basically a bribe isn't it.

[Marty Funkhouser]

okgo said:

ask them what you're paying for ffs.

If its not for refrences, or credit checks of admin fee's then its basically a bribe isn't it.

I did....its an "agency fee"

[Marty Funkhouser]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

[MrV]

I rang about renting a new place yesterday and got quoted £500 !!! After I picked myself up told them thanks but no thanks I will look at the same place but through another agent.