Campaign success for private renters.
The chancellor’s decision to ban letting agents’ fees is good news for private renters. The average additional cost per letting is £337, which in all fairness should be paid by the landlord, will in due course be paid by the landlord.
Good news too for Citizens Advice.
We have campaigned against the fees since 2009. Last year Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead was one of 35 CABs nationwide to take part in a ‘mystery shopper’ project. The results, exposing the truth about fees, played an influential part in a House of Lords debate just last week.
Unfortunately landlords may put up rents to compensate.
As long as there’s an imbalance between supply demand for good quality homes some increases are likely to stick. Still, the ban will make things much more transparent which is a big benefit and in Scotland (where agents fees are already forbidden) it seems there was little effect on rent levels.
We shall continue to argue strongly for more affordable rented homes.
The new housing investment announced in the Autumn Statement is welcome of course – it’s just a shame this vital sector will hardly benefit at all.
Citizens Advice official response: Autumn Statement tackles some of the problems facing struggling families