Letting Agency Fees - reasonable/justifiable?

The point, I imagine, is that the owner doesn't want anyone undesirable to be living there, even if they're not directly responsible for the rent.

Put yourself in the position of the owner, and you rent to some guy who comes up with no problems on the reference check. Except his girlfriend is on methadone, been kicked out of properties before after a lengthy eviction process, etc.

If it was just him paying the bills would you not also want her vetted her you didn't get problems?

That's of course all on the side of the owner - I don't know if it's reasonable.
 
The Halk said:
The point, I imagine, is that the owner doesn't want anyone undesirable to be living there, even if they're not directly responsible for the rent.

Put yourself in the position of the owner, and you rent to some guy who comes up with no problems on the reference check. Except his girlfriend is on methadone, been kicked out of properties before after a lengthy eviction process, etc.

If it was just him paying the bills would you not also want her vetted her you didn't get problems?

That's of course all on the side of the owner - I don't know if it's reasonable.
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In which case, what difference would a guarantor make?
 
When I was renting before I had to pay £99.00 in administration fees. It can vary between estate agencies. I didn't need a check because I was working full time.

I don't see why the agency has to credit check your other half as it will be you doing the payments so it should only come down to you if anyone been checked.

It seems too odd to me.
 
The Halk said:
The point, I imagine, is that the owner doesn't want anyone undesirable to be living there, even if they're not directly responsible for the rent.

Put yourself in the position of the owner, and you rent to some guy who comes up with no problems on the reference check. Except his girlfriend is on methadone, been kicked out of properties before after a lengthy eviction process, etc.

If it was just him paying the bills would you not also want her vetted her you didn't get problems?

That's of course all on the side of the owner - I don't know if it's reasonable.
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So having good credit means you cant be a crackhead? A credit check doesn't show anything to do with your character or previous eviction status etc etc. Merely shows you are capable of paying the amount of money you are being asked to pay each month.
 
ubern00b said:
So having good credit means you cant be a crackhead?
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Yes.
ubern00b said:
A credit check doesn't show anything to do with your character or previous eviction status etc etc. Merely shows you are capable of paying the amount of money you are being asked to pay each month.
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Ask yourself - would you want one done or not?

I'm not supporting anybody here, I'm trying to explain why the owners might want checks done.
 
The Halk said:
Oh, then it's no wonder it doesn't make sense... why do you need a guarantor then?
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Apparently my gf needs one because we told them she would fail the credit check on account of no income. Saying that, the girl in the agency didn't seem that "with it" so hopefully I can speak to someone with a brain/morals tomorrow!
 
Haggisman said:
Apparently my gf needs one because we told them she would fail the credit check on account of no income. Saying that, the girl in the agency didn't seem that "with it" so hopefully I can speak to someone with a brain/morals tomorrow!
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Ah. So you DON'T need a guarantor then. I understand now I think. You would only need a guarantor if they felt you were unsuitable to pay the rent.

I think tomorrow you need to sound like you're going to walk away if they come up with silly fees like that. I'm quite sure they won't be as straight down the line as they make out... they'll charge as much as they think they'll get away with.
 
radar19 said:
Find another agency I say. These guys sound like a bunch of money grabbing nubs. Not that the pool isnt filthy enough already.
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Totally agree, can't stand these sort of people, only in it for the money. But remember your best interest is the priority! NOT
 
I don't remember this happening to us when we moved in and my partner was unemployed at the time. Everything was viewed as joint, we were both joint responsible and had to prove we had income as a couple. IIRC.
 
Just spoken to them, apparently it's in case I move out and leave my girlfriend there, to make sure she can pay the rent :rolleyes:

I also checked with the referencing agency they use - referencing fees are £30. inc VAT, so they're charging us 300%!

I'm not going to post their details as I've seen how threads go after that.
 
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£3 Land Registry search, contact landlord direct, ask them if they wish to deal direct and if not then you'll be forced to look at another property as his managing agents are thieving ****s. Explain to him/her that they are actively making it difficult to let out his/her property.
 
That's why I always rent private. When I was looking to rent last July I was shown one ****hole after another by 18yo kids in a cheap Asda suits and boy racers. They couldn't answer the most basic questions but when it came to money matter they were as efficient as any CFO.

My current place is owned by a lovely old lady that also refused going to lettings agency way. Works very well.
 
I don't understand the guarantor business. If the concern is for her only, you are effectively her guarantor under joint and several liability. This doesn't change if you move out. If you can demonstrate that you can cover the rent on your own, they should be happy with that.

It's about time England caught up with Scotland and made these premiums illegal...
 
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