To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a ban on estate agents charging fees to prospective tenants to view properties.
Answered on
1 November 2022
Under the Tenant Fees Act, landlords and letting agents are already not permitted to charge prospective tenants for viewings, negotiations, referencing, right to rent checks, or contract drafting. A refundable holding deposit may be requested to reserve a property whilst reference checks and preparation for a tenancy agreement are undertaken. This is capped at one week's rent. A landlord or agent should stop advertising a property after a holding deposit has been received. Landlords and agents are prohibited from holding multiple deposits.