Written question asked by Mike Amesbury (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 October 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 28 October 2022. It was answered by Felicity Buchan (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 November 2022 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Estate Agents: Fees and Charges

Question: 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.

Answer: 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.

Secondary information