Does OpenRent cover the costs my current agency is requiring for a reference?

[Oliver32]

I am moving to a new flat through OpenRent and they require a reference from my agency (DJ Alexander). But DJ Alexander are saying I will have to pay the full costs for my reference. Is this true, or is this something that OpenRent covers? Is it even legal to charge a tenant for a property reference in Scotland?

Thanks

Oliver

[Karl11]

I had a search on a popular search engine, and this is what it says but you need to check the regs yourselves to be sure;

No, letting agents in Scotland cannot charge a tenant for a reference. Under theRent (Scotland) Act 1984, as clarified in 2012, it is illegal for a landlord or letting agent to charge any “premium” or fee other thanrentand arefundable deposit.

Certainly, this would be nothing Openrent or your new Landlord would pay this is between you and your agent

[David240]

@Oliver32

Please can you clarify

Are DJ Alexander the letting agency for your current contract/place ? Or for your new place? Either way seems highly questionable. Found comment on this below

Shelter Scotland or Citizens Advice should be able to help

Good luck

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Can Letting Agents charge you for a reference?
Contacted a letting agency (Scotland) we rented through a year or so ago as my partner and I need a reference for a new rental property we are applying for and the old letting agency is asking for £30 to provide our references? Is this legal? I’ve never paid for a reference before, it definitely feels a little exploitative.

“Yes your old letting agency can charge you for a reference - that is not a service they are obliged to provide and therefore can charge you for the work involved. Yes, it is exploitative.

A very strict interpretation of the law might suggest that the new letting agency/landlord should not require you to get a reference if you have to pay to get one - they should either be content without or pay for it themselves. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be considered an unlawful “premium” under the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984. That said, it seems quite common practice - I don’t know if there may be some technicality that means it is legal, or if it’s just that there’s no crystal clear guidance or test cases that make it abundantly obvious that the practice is unlawful and so letting agencies continue to get away with it because no-one challenges it.”