administration fee for rental lettings

[kiwibella]

Do you have to pay an administration fee to let a property from an estate agent? We looked at properties to rent today and were told that they charge £260. When hubs asked what this was for, she told us reference checks.

I am more than happy for her to use my phone to call my current landlord instead of paying this extortionate fee.

These type of fees are normal I'm afraid. If you take on a 6 month lease and want to renew, they will charge you an admin fee again (though not the checks obviously)... which is why agencies love 6 month lets so much
I think our last one was £120 up front, and 36£ each 6 months.
I'm sure it's more in London

hmmm... I will certainly be asking whether we will have to pay this charge again and again. If we take a property with this agency, the admin fee is £260!!! It's not even in London .

another reason why we're dealing direct with the landlords

we are currently dealing directly with our landlord... but, how do you do that when you are looking for a new property? Where are they "advertised" if not through a rental agent.

i advertised on a local website and someone whose house sale fell through contacted me to ask if i would be interested in renting as they had already committed to another house. we move on friday