Holding Fee for Letting

[bazzer42]

Hi

I took my daughter to view a house to rent for herself and her friend, we viewed and she liked. we said she would take it, we were told by agent no one else would view if we put a holding fee down, this would hold for 3 weeks. we gave them this 100 pound the following morning, i asked to fill in form for guarentor and was told no need yet, when we took in the references we were told someone else viewed it after us and then bought in the fee the rent and the references 8 hours after they acceted our holding fee, she said it was upto the landlord then to pick the best tennant, this was the estate agent letting company telling me this. my daughter did not get house. can they do this after accepting holding fee and can they take multiple fees and then pick the best tennant, who can say who is best?

[Velvetee]

I don't know about holding fee's, and have never heard of this before. In my experience, the agents consulted me with prospective tenants. My last property was between a 20 year old single female and a mature business woman and her friend. Having had problems with younger people in the past, I said I didn't want anyone under 25 living there.

The agents then checked references and did a credit check and that all came back ok. Had it not, then they would have given me the option of either accepting or declining the applicant moving in.

Did they return this holding feeto you? If you are unhappy or feel they have acted inappropriately, you should contact ARLA (Association of Residential Lettings Agents)

[gilf]

If they are keeping the holding fee that sounds like taking money under false pretences to me. I'd get on to trading standards.

If they are refunding the fee then I would imagine there is little to complain about.

[Twenty20]

You must have got a receipt for the �100? What did it say? Did it state what the deposit was for?

[clairey_p]

Who were your letting agents? I have just had this same thing with Henson Estate agents, except there were 4 of us so they have taken 400 GBP and then gave the flat to someone else and yet still refuse to give back the holding fee. Henson are not registered with the Property Ombudsman and so I do not know what step to take next??? Did you get your money back?