News
90% of Britain's biggest letting agents charge tenants more than average
Tuesday 23rd May 2017
The average fee for two adults renting an unfurnished two-bed property is £404 according to Generation Rent, an organisation that "campaigns for professionally managed, secure, decent and affordable private rented homes in sustainable communities".
Seven of the largest letting agents (over 100 branches) have been highlighted by Generation Rent for charging tenants more than average fees. Only one, LSL, parent company of Your Move and Reeds Rains that charges less at £381.
Topping the list with an average fee of £593 is Leaders/Romans who charge different fees across their six branches, with one Romans branch charging £813.
Next in line is Connells Group who charges a standard £570 throughout its network.
Spicerhaart charges £540 across several brands, while The Property Franchise Group charges an average of £476 across the 15 branches in Generation Rent's study - London and parts of the south UK.
One branch of Martin & Co. has been accused of being "opaque" about its check-in fee and says the £476 is "likely to rise if and when Brentford opens up its fees policy".
Hunters has an average of £416 but branches in Wokingham and Stoke Newington are accused of failing to specify check-in fees.
Belvoir charges an average of £414, but Generation Rent have said this will rise to £590 in its Balham office.
Dan Wilson Craw of Generation Rent concludes "This breakdown shows how important tenant fees are to the larger estate agents - strip them out and our national average comparison fee would drop".
As a local independent agency, Affinity charge lower fees compared to the national average at just £225 per couple. Why not take a look at our Property Search page and find your next home.