Did you know September sees the end of letting agent fees in Wales?

Aberavon AM, David Rees, is reminding residents that the ban on letting agent fees comes into force in September.

Thanks to a law introduced by the Welsh Labour Government, from September tenants cannot be charged for such things as an accompanied viewing, receiving an inventory, signing a contract, or renewing a tenancy.

Letting agents and landlords will only be permitted to require a payment for rent, security deposits, holding deposits, a payment in default (when a tenant breaches a contract), and payments in respect of council tax, utilities, a television licence, or communication services.

The Bill will cap holding deposits paid to reserve a property before the signing of a rental contract to the equivalent of a week’s rent and create provisions to ensure their prompt repayment. It will also give the Welsh Government the power, should it wish to use it in the future, to limit the level of security deposits.

David Rees AM said: “There has been a big increase in the number of people renting their homes privately. Fees charged by letting agents often present a significant barrier to many tenants, especially those on lower incomes.”

“The Welsh Government are right to act and ensure that tenants will no longer face unfair fees. These fees a not only a barrier to people finding a suitable home to rent but a barrier to tenants saving a deposit to buy their own home.”

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