Student households in rental properties are being charged an average of £555 in letting agent fees, Labour has claimed.
Ed Miliband’s party conducted a mystery shopper survey and says the results show fees are “out of control”.
In Lancaster the average sum was £175 but in Bristol and Canterbury it was respectively £966 and £899. In Manchester, the sum was £406.60 and in Liverpool £403.
Across the north-west, letting agencies charge on average £328.20, the survey found, compared with London where the average is £883.40.
The survey made it clear that fees are paid in addition to a tenancy deposit and usually one month’s rent in advance.
Labour state that “agencies should not be charging fees to students and other renters in the first place”.
The party has made a manifesto commitment to scrap the charges.
Hilary Benn, Labour’s shadow communities secretary, said: “A Labour Government will scrap the extortionate lettings fees that many student households and other renters are being forced to pay across the country.
“This Conservative-led Government has failed students and Labour is determined to make sure they get a much fairer deal, so we will also cut tuition fees from £9,000 to £6,000 a year.
“Ending rip-off fees will save student households £555 on average and will also mean big savings for families that rent their homes across the country too. Labour’s plan will make sure people are better off, not ripped off.”
This just shows the economic naivity of Labour. Rents will go up an tenants will pay more.
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better off not ripped off. !! Hypercritical.
Labour love pointing the finger at anyone but themselves – they should be ashamed at the expense scandals and the waste of money they caused during their last term of office.
Allow more houses to be built and give more supply. It it really that hard to understand.
Love to see the actual report and questions asked. We charge £375 +vat for 2 tenants £275 +vat for 1 tenant. Would love to know if agents in Bristol really does charge on average £966? Any Bristol agents here?
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