{"id":1835,"date":"2019-05-02T13:40:46","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T13:40:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.idealflatmate.co.uk\/flatmate-HQ\/?p=1835"},"modified":"2019-05-07T14:29:47","modified_gmt":"2019-05-07T14:29:47","slug":"the-2019-tenant-fee-ban-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/flatmate-HQ\/the-2019-tenant-fee-ban-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2019 Tenant Fee Ban Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a renter, the words \u2018tenancy fee\u2019 probably make you want to cover your ears and run back to your family home screaming. However, if you\u2019ve resisted the urge to run away at the sight of the dreaded words then you might be aware that the <\/span>Government have been discussing<\/span><\/a> putting in place a Tenant Fee Ban (yes, BAN \u2013 you can stop screaming). This new legislation is now officially an Act of Parliament (hoorah for renters!).<\/span><\/p>\n

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You\u2019re probably wondering what exactly a \u2018Tenant Fee Ban Bill\u2019 means and how this will affect you as a renter. The terminology can be confusing and it\u2019s important you know your rights so that you\u2019re not unlawfully charged. We\u2019re here to answer all those niggling questions you have and make sure you\u2019ve got the new legislation down to a T (for Tenant Fee ban).<\/span><\/p>\n

What does the \u2018Tenant Fee Ban\u2019 mean?<\/b><\/h1>\n

The <\/span>Tenant Fee Bill<\/span><\/a> covers both a ban on letting fees (the costs incurred with a letting agent such as administration fees) and a cap on deposits. This applies to renting in the private sector and is applicable to all assured shorthold tenancies. This will include the majority of private properties and may include student accommodation. If you\u2019re not sure what sort of tenancy you have, then use this <\/span>tenancy checker<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

When will letting fees be banned in the UK?<\/b><\/h1>\n

At the moment, the ban only applies to England, but Wales is well on the way to bringing the ban into place in the near future. Find out more about the future prospects of the Tenant Fee Ban Bill in Wales <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why has the Government introduced a Tenant Fee Ban?<\/b><\/h1>\n

The Government has introduced the <\/span>Tenant Fee Act<\/span><\/a> to ensure more transparency in the private renting sector by reducing hidden costs. The aim is to make renting more affordable and ensure that the price tags which you see online are a true representation of the cost of renting (Jessie J is wrong, when it comes to property, it <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> about the price tag). <\/span><\/p>\n

The ban aims to adjust the favourable relationship between a letting agent and a renter, with the costs incurred when letting a property becoming the responsibility of the landlord instead of the renter.<\/span><\/p>\n

When does the Tenant Fee Ban start?<\/b><\/h1>\n

The Tenant Fee Ban is coming in on 1<\/span>st<\/span> June 2019. Any private properties rented after this date must comply with the new regulations proposed by the Tenant Fee Bill (provided they are shorthold tenancies).<\/span> If the property has already been rented then the tenant may still be liable for costs (such as renewal fees) after this date. However, from 1st June 2020, any fees prohibited by the Tenant Fee Ban in both new <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> existing contracts, will not apply.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the ban, what payments can I still be asked for?<\/b><\/h1>\n

The ban doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ll be able to afford beautiful penthouses in central London using the spare coins left in your pocket (sigh). Although the cost of renting will be reduced, with the admin fees becoming the responsibility of the landlord and the deposit cap preventing extortionate deposit fees, you will still be responsible for certain costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The following payments will still be permitted after the Tenant Fee Ban:<\/span><\/p>\n