To want someone to explain in simple terms how the law Is changing regarding agency fees etc for renting.

[WheresAllTheGoodInTheWorld]

We need to look at private rent as we're over crowded and it's a long wait to move. Approx 7 years.
We will be only just about o afford it but have no choice.
People keep saying wait until after June because the agents can't charge for certain stuff. What exactly is changing. I'm so frazzled with housing and finding out I'm pregnant after a MC a month ago that my head is all over the place.

They can take a deposit but can no longer charge ‘referencing’ fees, ‘guarantor’ fees, ‘inventory’ fees ‘contract writing’ fees etc etc. These can make a move in the private rental sector several thousand pounds.

Now they can take a deposit and that’s it.

The law is changing so agents will no longer be able to charge ANY fees to tenants. At the moment you would expect to pay an admin fee for applying, which can vary widely between agents and parts of the country. Last time we rented it was £250 for me and DH, which held the property for us and covered our credit check and references.

Unscrupulous money grabbing agents have them been charging for all sorts on top of that - check in fee, charging for keys, anything they can think of including charges at the end for cleaning and check out.

The new law stops this. They will not be allowed to charge for anything from 1st June and there is also a deposit cap coming in (sorry can’t remember exactly when) which caps the deposit at 5 weeks rent.

I would definitely wait until June if you need to move!!

Yes it’s a five week cap for deposits. The only additional fees would be tenant initiated i.e if a tenant wants to amend the contract, get out if it early, loses a key or fails to pay rent on time (default or late payment fees may still be charged)

But it will be significantly cheaper to move from June.

Ah thanks for that. Yeah the house were looking at want to charge 360 for both ref. Plus all sorts of others on top of deposit ansv a month upfront. Totalling over 2k.!its ridiculous.
So will hold off. Prob after summer anyway I'd prefer

Are you on social housing? Better to be overcrowded than the instability of private renting.

We only have a 2 bed. A 13 Yr old ds, a 1 Yr old girl. And we have dsd alternate weeks.
It was doable. As 1yr old in our room which is big enough. But ds room is a box and can only fir a single bunk and a drawer unit
I've just found out I'm expecting again and we hcve no choice. Plus it's not up to the housing company to have to move us as there's worse off out there.
We can do it. It's just getting it all in place.

Awwwww I was feeling all happy because I’ve paid my fees (tenancy fees and deposit etc) and I pick up the keys to my new rental house tomorrow, and then I stumbled across this... how did I not no this information before now? Ah well it’s done now. But yes OP I recommend waiting the extra few weeks too!

I’ve never found private renting unstable but you have to know what to look for. There are vastly different options for professionals adults, i.e both working and no pets than with pets or claiming housing benefit. An agent with a good reputation and only go for ‘long term’ lets. NEVER rent a house that the owner has lived in. If they have sentimental attachments to it, they can be a nightmare.

Look for professional landlords, look at the fittings. A high end finish will show a landlord who care and will invest in a property, do prompt repairs etc.

Be prepared to pay a higher rent for the best set up. If you are absolutely spot on time with your rent and have good credit history and no pets you can find private renting a positive experience.

Sorry to jump in, I usually have to pay a £50 fee each year for a new one year tenancy agreement (as I don't want to go onto a rolling contract). If I renew in August will I not be charged the fee? Thanks

Thank you. No pets. Rent always paid on time and have statements to show.
I'd only want one that doesn't look like a work on progress or run down.
I'm a but gutted as our flat is beautiful, amazing neighbours and we're all good friends . Just not big enough for us. Not saying not doable for say 6m after baby arrives but rather move before baby comes.