Changes to the Tenant Fees Bill, which has just passed through Parliament, mean that landlords can no longer charge indiscriminate fees for spurious reasons. New plans revealed by the government a few days ago mean landlords will now have to provide evidence before they can charge tenants reasonable costs for repairing or replacing items.
The amendment will prevent unscrupulous landlords from charging hundreds of pounds to change a light bulb. It also means landlords can’t charge tenants more than six weeks’ deposit when they begin a tenancy.
Unfair Costs
“Tenants across the country, whatever their income, should not be hit with unfair costs by agents or landlords,” says Rishi Sunak, Local Government minister.
“This Government is determined to make sure our housing market works and this new provision in the Tenant Fees Bill will make renting fairer and more transparent for all.”
Rushi Sunak used an example of tenants being charged £60 for a new smoke alarm, even though the local council fitted them for free.
Fairer and More Transparent
The Bill hasn’t yet passed into law, but it is well on its way. Once it is passed, the ban on rip-off fees will apply to all tenancy agreements that commence from that date. The government says this new system will have the buy to let sector much fairer.
Figures released by the Department for Communities and Local Government revealed that collectively, landlords could lose up to £166 million a year. David Cox from ARLA says he’s “disappointed” that the Bill passed the House of Commons.
How will the Tenant Fees Bill affect you? Let us know in the comments.
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