to argue about paying this?

10 replies

inneedofgoodideas · 31/08/2018 15:45

in the process of moving from one rented property to another. New landlord (private) wants a reference from current house, which is managed by an agency.
Agency want to charge £42 for a reference! AIBU to be annoyed at this? I've paid rent on time, kept the house clean and tidy, and accommodated all their requests since living there.

WIBU to email them back formally requesting they send me all the info they hold on me - surely with data protections they would be obliged to do this?

Anyone have any better advice?

OP posts:

glintandglide · 31/08/2018 15:49

The information they hold on you won’t be a reference though. I don’t think you can get one from them any other way but to pay (as in it’s rotten but they’re not obliged to give you one)

Sympathy as moving sucks

SoozC · 31/08/2018 15:51

I think it would still cost you to do a data request - about a tenner? It is ridiculous the fees to lettings agents, I hate being in a rented place. Plus our rent was increased last month by £25 - for what? It's not even a new tax year, just that we had to renew our contract and they took the opportunity to ask for more money. Our rent is now more than half the money we have coming in a month. It's crazy, no wonder people struggle to buy a place.

Original poster

inneedofgoodideas · 31/08/2018 15:59

I've emailed back and said as they didn't notify us of this charge at any point, would they waive it - doubtful though!

OP posts:

longwayoff · 31/08/2018 16:05

When you move get a clause in your new contract, reference supplied free of charge when deposit returned intact.

Original poster

inneedofgoodideas · 31/08/2018 16:12

new landlord seems very nice - has says he hates agencies and all their stupid fees so think he wouldn't mind. However, great idea about getting it written in the contract, thanks.

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BarbaraofSevillle · 31/08/2018 16:27

It's annoying but £42 for a reference seems a lot better value than the stupid prices I've seen for credit checks. I'm sure I've seen fees of £100+ and you can get them for free off the internet!

MrsK1087 · 31/08/2018 16:59

Even if they don’t provide you with a reference legally they have to provide you with a rent statement which shows you pay rent on time which should be enough for your new landlord

dreamingofsun · 31/08/2018 17:03

trouble is there are really bad tenants out there which is making LL's do more and more checks. Having recently had a tenant who owes me 9k+ your trust in people being decent takes a big knock and you increase the checks that you do.

Original poster

inneedofgoodideas · 31/08/2018 17:18

I appreciate the need for referencing by the new landlord, but not why the estate agents needs to charge £42 to provide them with this!

OP posts:

Nightfall1 · 31/08/2018 17:31

You can ask your LL directly for a reference if you like. Your legal relationship is with them.
All agency fees have to be notified upfront. (on their website or clearly displayed) If they aren't and you were genuinely unaware of this charge then you can check what redress scheme they are registered with and make a complaint through that. (or at least tell them that's what you intend to do- they might waive it)

Flip