Re-referencing fee

[Nirakrechlas]

I'm due to renew my tenancy agreement at the end of the month. so far, I have always payed my rent 6 months in advance as my earning weren't high enough. However, I'm getting a pay rise in November and therefore asked my letting agents if I could pay 3 months in advance and then go onto monthly payments. They said I would have to pay a re-referencing fee of £264 because they have to contact my employer to confirm my salary + £70 renewal fee. Can they charge me that much money???

[WILLWONKER]

They will try all sorts of ways to get money out of you, and that goes for anyone these days, it's up to you to try all sorts of way to avoid getting ripped off.

[WILLWONKER]

Oh, and if thats all they have to do is contact your employer, ask your employer to give you a written letter to confirm your salary and take it to the agent

[bednobs]

they can charge you what they like i guess

[brenda]

What a cheek -- are you able to stay on your present system of payment and just pay the renewal fee.?

[bushbaby_de]

You don't have to renew your tenancy - you could let it roll onto a periodic tenancy instead and just carry on paying rent as you have been doing. I'm not actually sure they can insist on you paying so much rent in advance though - maybe someone else can confirm this?

[tinpotLizzie]

Unfortunately some letting agents charge whatever fees they like but usually the Landlord is responsible for renewal charges, not the tenant. Of course, it depends what the terms of your tenancy are, & whether the agent is responsible for management/upkeep of the property, or if they just find & vet the tenant for the Landlord.
Do you deal only through the letting agent or do you have contact with your Landlord?
If you do, I would have a word with him/her about this. If you have been a good tenant & always paid on time, why don't you just arrange to pay monthly in advance at the higher rate? Your references have already been checked so I would have thought that a current payslip showing your rise in salary would be sufficient.
Presumably you paid a Deposit when you first took out the tenancy, so this will be held in a special account in case of any problems.
I am a Landlord, & use an agent to find the tenant, but I like to do my own management & have a good relationship with the person renting my property.
Good luck.