Estate agent fees

[absolutelyflawed]

I am about to take on a new rental property and been advised that - as well as deposit and check in fee - the ( non refundable ) application fee is 40% of a months rent. The rent is 1400, so it's 560.. This seems like a lot on top of everything else.

Is this normal ( and fair) ?

That's scandalous - no wonder those kind of charges are not allowed in Scotland and were part of the Queen's Speech this year to ban hem in England.

Its not fair but agents can charge what they like.

For my property the referencing etc costs the tenant £150. All the agents in the town charge the same.