Estate agents : renting fees

[lambrini_socialist]

have things changed in the last few years, is this normal?

totally normal but usually negotiable in my experience....

[BrianSnail]

I would rather cut my nuts off with a spoon than rent through Foxtons.

I just have rented through Foxtons, and wish I'd had a spoon handy at the time!

[Moscow Mule]

I just have rented through Foxtons, and wish I'd had a spoon handy at the time!

Just hope nothing ever goes wrong with the property - their property management is a joke, they are only interested in the initial commission.

[sasguru]

Not sure this is legal - check with your local CAB.
Silly going through agencies anyway, look direct in gumtree and moveflat.com

[BrianSnail]

Just hope nothing ever goes wrong with the property - their property management is a joke, they are only interested in the initial commission.

The property is managed by the landlord, so that is yet to be seen, but Foxtons really tried it on over the contract. They wanted 1 month rent in advance, 6 weeks depost, admin and referencing fee (£368), all just to hold the property after the offer was accepted, and before the contract had been drawn up!

Farkers!

[Cyberman]

Think yourself lucky. Some agents in Germany make you fill in a questionaire including questions like "Why are you looking for accomodation?" and "How will you be funding it, please provide evidence?" before you even get the address.

They then charge a commission based on the length of the tenancy!!! e.g 15% of monthly rent per month of tenancy. Barstands!

I rented for two years in Germany and paid a month's rent as a deposit and no extra fees. There were no silly questions, but I had to show evidence of continuity of work, which is quite a reasonable demand. A common practice when leaving the accommodation is that you have to ensure it is redecorated or you forfeit the deposit.

[FSM with Cheddar]

Those fees are negotiable, and in today's climate you are in a strong position to tell them to shove the fees.