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THE recent change in the law for the fees paid by people looking to rent property has had a huge impact on letting agencies, although one local agency is confident that they are in the best position to survive the changes – and keep their customers happy.

Up until June 1, 2019, landlords and letting agents were able to charge tenancy or letting fees. These admin fees varied significantly, and could be for checking references, carrying out credit checks, preparing the tenancy agreement, and so on.

Now, the only payments landlords or letting agent can request from a tenant are: the rent; a refundable deposit capped at five weeks’ rent if your annual rent is below £50,000; a refundable holding deposit capped at one week’s rent; utilities and council tax if included in your tenancy agreement; a charge for changing the tenancy or terminating it early if you request it, and a charge for default by you, for example, late payment of rent.

Any landlord or letting agent that charges you any other fees could face a significant fine of £5,000.

This has obviously meant quite a loss of income for some agents. Many have not weathered the storm – particularly ‘rogue’ agents who have relied on the income from hefty charges without providing a professional service.

With the ‘How to Rent’ legislation constantly changing, it’s important that landlords and agents are compliant. As one of the North-East’s most trusted estate agents, Robinsons is governed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

Simon Wright and business partner, George Robinson, have more than 70 years of experience in the property market between them, and their business has been built on local knowledge and service with a personal touch.

Simon says: “We have been taking care of our clients for many years, and we will still provide a quality service at a sensible fee. We do things by the book, and we don’t cut corners, so that landlords and tenants can be confident that they will continue to receive the same high-quality, professional service that we have always offered.”

Robinsons has offices all around the North-East, in Darlington, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Ingleby Barwick, Bishop Auckland, Crook, Spennymoor, Durham, Chester-le-Street, Hartlepool, Sedgefield and Coxhoe.

See more at www.robinsonsestateagents.co.uk