The difference between Scottish and English Agents

[Crutchlow35]

For a long time now there have been lots of thread about Estate and Lettings Agents. What a rip of they are, how they lie, make up viewers and offers, rob tenants of holding deposits - the list is endless.

I just wanted to say not all agents are like that. There will be some good ones in a England I am sure but here in Scotland it is very different.

We don't have contracts to tie you in.

We have an up front marketing fee. Depends on agent but I am £325.

We have home reports to include a survey and mortgage valuation report (there are some cheapy online surveyors who don't do the MVR but these are generally not recommended). This means you know the real valuation of a property before you knock on the door.

In my agency, professional photography, 3d floor plans and brochures come as standard. We do all viewings. We do all the usual internet advertising.

We are governed by the law society as a solicitor estate agent so no lies, no made up viewers and no made up offers.

The maximum we charge for commission is 1%. Often less if you do viewings yourself.

On the rentals side, it is against the law in Scotland to charge tenants any fees relating to references, leases, inventories and check-in or out procedures.

So please, when you are slagging off agents and calling them robbing bastards, please remember we are not all like that!

That's good to know crutchlow35 but I'm sure we had to pay the credit reference fees of £50 per person when we took this tenancy out 18 months ago. I'm in Scotland, do you think I should argue for my money back?

As our initial lease has expired we're on a rolling tenancy but our agent talks about both sides needing 2 months' notice but that's not right either is it? One month from us, 2 from them; can you confirm. Thanks.

The new rules in Scotland cam in on 30 November 2012.

Have a read here

scottish government

If your charges were after that date then absolutely.

Thanks. We took the lease on end of August 2012 so I guess that was okay then. Do you know if it is just one month's notice we need to give?

Agent has said 2 months either side, that should suit us, but I'd rather know. Thanks again.

Legally, LL is 2 months and tenant is 1 month. If 2 months suits you then good but they can't hold you to it if you do want to go. Just make sure you give notice on the correct date.

For example, if your rent is due on 1st june you need to give your notice on that date to leave on 1st July. If you don't give notice until 2nd for what ever reason, then your last date becomes 1st August.

Your post has depressed me op! We're having such a tough time trying to buy a place in London with places going to sealed bids, vendors pulling out of the sale to re market a few months later at a higher price, and our current purchase is dragging on and I'm petrified we'll be ghost gazumped the day before exchange. Why is the legislation here so different! It seems far more sensible to do it your way!