Really? Around half of agents back fees ban, survey suggests

A survey of letting and estate agencies suggest around half broadly back the changes to the private rental sector outlined in the Queen’s Speech - including a ban on letting agents’ fees.

The survey - conducted for software company Goodlord - spoke only to 130 agents across the country. 

Only 42 per cent felt the current process of securing a rental property was understood by tenants while just under half - 49 per cent - felt the current lettings process was efficient.

However, when asked about specific measures over half of agents backed a ban on agents charging administrative fees to tenants for moving into a property or renewing a tenancy, and a cap on the size of deposits.

There was also a stark regional divide with agents in London and the South East the least likely to regard the current process as efficient or fair. 

Other measures apparently backed by substantial numbers of agents included a cap on rent rises so they do not exceed inflation (backed by 47 per cent) and on compensation for private tenants evicted through no fault of their own (42 per cent). 

Around 35 per cent felt tenancies should last for three to five years as a minimum. 

The research, conducted in May this year, also interviewed 1,000 tenants. 

It found that there was deep mistrust of landlords by tenants, with only a third of tenants having a “great deal of trust” that their landlord will fix things in good time, keep rent increases to reasonable levels or return their deposits.

The survey also shows that younger tenants under 35 feel particularly vulnerable to poor treatment from landlords.