Renting - Extortionate admin fees!

[flumperoo]

I just need a rant really.

I was recently unexpectedly evicted with 8 weeks notice to leave which left me in a fairly dire situation as there are hardly any 2 bed rental peoperties available in my area within my budget (£1000pm). I've finally found somewhere which is half decent and just within budget but I'm so shocked at the admin fees, which are £750!!! This is for reference checks (which seems to have been no more than a few emails asking for confirmation of where I live/work) plus a check-in fee. This is on top of a hefty deposit and a months rent in advance.

I've had to borrow this money (which luckily I have been able to do - at a cost) but I wonder how people manage who can't get a credit card/loan/overdraft etc. I am seriously worried that I might find myself in the same situation in 6 months time if the landlord decides to evict me and it feels like I'm being held over a barrel because there's nothing I can do about it as I have no savings or any prospect of saving any money for a deposit to buy.

if it is any consolation, the landlord will be paying big time too. Wrong agent! Agents are unregulated and the fees can be shocking, I speak as a landlord.

that said, stunned by a fee that high. Over double what my tenant would have paid in total.

if you want to stay longer, negotiate for a longer lease.

If you are in Scotland they are illegal.

so (genuine question) how do Scottish agents make a profit on their business?

I don't disagree with fees for work, just too-high fees.

That really is high. I work for a letting agent (a very big well known and often slagged off one!) and we charge in the region of 200-300 depending on how many people.

Scottish agents will make money from the landlord who will pay a percentage of your rent every month.

It's supposed to be illegal for agents to charge both the landlord and the renter... In the old days, both sides paid a percentage but that was made illegal. So agents invented an "admin" charge.... I've never come across one so high. Sorry OP

From our % each month which is usually 10% plus vat or thereabouts.

interesting - because here in England I (as a landlord) pay 10% plus VAT management fee. Then there are additional fees for new tenancies...

so clearly 10% plus is enough to get the job done. Anyone listening in the English parliament?

meanwhile for ref the fees I pay are £250 for a complete new tenancy, £95 for renewal and £100 for a complete inventory on a 2-bed semi.(the last is me only, but (gnash) the tenant will also have paid the other two) All the agents in my area charge the same.

obviously there is also deposit (which isn't a fee) and the rent in advance, but that's for living in the house.

Thanks for the responses and sympathy
With regards to negotiating, it just feels like I'm in no position to negotiate at all and have to put up with whatever is thrown at me because there is just no choice but to put up with it.

Oh well, at least I got this moan off my chest!

Even though it's illegal in Scotland, some agencies still charge and when you complain, won't deal with you. Others say you can provide your own references and credit checks but in reality it's so difficult, you end up paying the "optional" fee for them doing it.

Student DC is looking just now, and that's his experience

ah, so much for the Scottish rental utopia then. It is time the government (or governments) got involved in this. Would be far more productive than the endless 'we hate landlords' who are already regulated. Agencies need to be regulated and controlled by legislation that has teeth. That would benefit all sides.

Agent, you need to report them to SAL then.

SAL? Tell me more. Happy to report.