This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
London Agents are Stinging Tenants
One agent in London charges £30 if tenants have moved any furniture from the exact place it was in at the beginning of the contract.
Financial website This is Money have revealed this figure, amongst others, in an effort to expose the wrongdoings of London’s letting agents.
They have also found that Foxtons estate agents charge up to £420 for setting up a tenancy agreement, while Savills would not reveal what they charge, stating that it is not their policy to discuss such fees over the phone.
This is Money have played the mystery shopper to nine agencies in London: Winkworth, Foxtons, Strutt & Parker, Hamptons, Black Katz, Knight Frank, haart, Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, and Savills.
The mystery shopper enquired about fees at haart, and was told, “not to worry”1 as they could organise this further down the line.
The letting agent charging £30 for the returning of furniture to its original position was not identified.
This is Money have also revealed that these London “rental stings”1 are moving outside of the capital and could affect other areas of the UK.
1 http://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/news_features/London-agents-accused-of-stinging-tenants
