Bad Credit Agency

My husband and I went to view a flat to rent over the weekend which is being let through an agency?

And the agent told us that if we were interested then we would need to pay a referencing fee of £140 (£70 each) so they could do credit checks etc as well as the deposit (one months rent). We though this sounded a bit much, I spoke to my sister who told me that when they went through the referencing process for their flat they paid £70 (£35 each). This was around 9 months ago. I know that different agencies will charge different amounts but I was wondering if anyone could advise me what the average should be? I am in the UK, just outside Bristol.

Public Comments

1. suppose it depends on the area and what you are looking at
2. It sounds to me as though the estate agent is adding an 'Admin fee' onto their credit reference fees. The amount you're being asked to pay is excessive - but I think you might just have to live with it, especially if the flat is likely to be rented quickly - there'll always be someone who pays out without asking...
3. ever you heard comparing price.search via internet.that better.anyway dont pick a housewith a ghost k. www.friendster.com/otomen87
4. Another classic case of rip off Britain, I feel sorry for you, glad I'm not there. Ring other Agencies and ask as if you want t rent from them
5. I think that that sounds pretty steep - thats £280 for the flat - I wouldn't pay that. I'm afraid I dont know what the average is. Have you tried looking for private advertisers on the internet (moveflat.com and many others). A lot of these websites are free to use and you won't have to pay any fees at all other than a deposit to the landlords. Also try looking in local newspapers and shopwindows.
6. I encountered agencies that request admin fees, just to look for a flat, and even if we weren't interested in that flat, that money wouldn't be returned to us. There are a lot of agencies that look for a flat for you and include that fee in the rent, so all you would have to pay would be: 1 month rent, and the deposit (which can go from 1 month to 1+1/2 month). One agency asked £70 for each flat we would visit (obviously we didn't visit anything), and another asked us £50+17%VAT for renting the flat. But if you look thoroughly you will find agencies that include their fee in the rent. I call that a scam to ask for an admin fee.
7. that is the average now a days my brother just paid 70 each for him and his wife so i dont think it is a bad deal