He explained: “I came across Lettingaproperty’s comparison page.

“On their site, they’re showing their fees alongside competitors, but 90% plus the competitor fees are either on purpose incorrect, or just not updated.

“As they are showing their competitor fees, they should be full up to date constantly and they are in breach The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations

“I’m an information officer at a major advertising agency, so I know my stuff. I have reported this company to the regulatory authority.

“I nearly signed up to their service but luckily, I spent 15 minutes doing my own research.

“I’m infuriated by their misdirection and feel other landlords should know.”

Some of the tenant find fees below have been converted by Lace to demonstrate the misinformation offered when it comes to charges for the agents.

“This is just a sample of me analysing the fees in their comparison,” he added. “If I had the time to look at the other 10 or so I’m sure there will be many more discrepancies.”

Brand	What Letting A Property Show		What the agent actually charges (according to Lace)		Link
	Tenant find	Fully Managed	Tenant find	Fully Managed
Foxtons	£1,980	7.20%	£1,800	6%	https://www.foxtons.co.uk/help/fees/
Purplebricks	£680	10.50%	£580	8.90%	https://www.purplebricks.co.uk/landlords
Savills	£1,250	20.40%	£1,200	20.40%	https://www.savills.co.uk/services/letting-or-renting/residential-landlord-fees-and-charges.aspx
Belvoir	£1,200	14.40%	£275	14.40%	https://www.belvoir.co.uk/stone-estate-agents/landlord-fees/
Countrywide	£625	15.60%	£1,500	18%	https://www.countrywidescotland.co.uk/let/landlords-guide-to-services-and-fees/#/
Hamptons	£1,470	20.40%	£1,980	20.40%	https://mr1.homeflow.co.uk/files/site_asset/image/4548/1899/Guide-to-Landlord-Charges.pdf

Andy Lacey, head of digital, LettingaProperty, issued a statement this morning.

He told EYE: “The purpose of our comparison page is to highlight letting agency fees to landlords on a like-for like basis. The fees shown are based on figures from agency websites and calculated using the same rental amount of £1250 and a GU25 postcode, where required. We appreciate that landlords can receive or negotiate varying fees at a local level.

“We also understand it can also be difficult for landlords to make an accurate comparison. This is partly due to inconsistency in describing letting services across the industry, along with the age-old tradition of showing fees exclusive of VAT, which contravenes ASA guidelines. In our experience, landlords value the clarity of our fixed-fee plans, which are inclusive of VAT, with prices remaining consistent nationwide.

“To make the basis of the comparison clearer, the page has been updated to show the criteria used and the date that fees were compiled.”