Did you know that landlords and letting agents are no longer able to charge private tenants for reference fees, credit checks, administration fees and contract renewal fees?
Deposits on new tenancies, since 1st June, are limited to 5 weeks’ rent. On 10th June, Fair Housing for Frome hosted a well-attended evening briefing at the Cheese and Grain from housing expert, Stephen Fowler, about the new Tenants Fees legislation that came into force at the beginning of this month. This is a piece of legislation that will save tenants an estimated £300 every time they move into a new home, thereby having a direct effect on the lives of people in our town.
The group reports, “Contrary to the information shared in a previous edition of the Frome Times, Stephen clarified that the Tenants Fees Act applies to all new and renewed tenancies from 1 June 2019 with the exception of statutory and contractual periodic tenancies that arise after that date. From June 1st 2020 the transition period will end and the ban will also attach to pre-existing tenancies, making any clauses that charge non-permissible fees ineffective. If a landlord or agent takes a prohibited payment on or after that date, they will have 28 days to return it or be considered in breach of this legislation.
“The private rented sector is the only housing option for many people on low incomes, so Fair Housing for Frome is very interested to see how this legislation affects people in the town. Please contact us via our facebook page or on info@fairhousingforfrome.org.uk if you have any questions or comments to share.
“This event marked the end of an initial 6-month programme organised by the Frome Landlords Association, which was established in January with support from Fair Housing for Frome and the TDS Charitable Foundation. Please join our mailing list on www.fairhousingforfrome.org.uk for more updates.”
