Please help. We viewed a property on 6th Feb. After waiting for the referencing link we finally submitted our details and paid the holding fee on the 20th. It’s now 7th March and we are still none the wiser as to whether we have the house. The agent never replies to our questions via email other than the standard ‘Everything is progressing as it should’. Never returns our calls, we get the same email. I feel like we’ve wasted four weeks of our current notice on a house that isn’t going anywhere.
Also, they are STILL advertising the house and showing people around. Is this allowed? Is it even legal? I read something about a 15 day cap on the holding fee, which would be today. Can someone please give us some advice (with links if possible!) TIA
You can search & find lots online about Holding deposit rules that is likely to answer your questions. Its difficult to post links on here, as they have to go through time consuming checks & validation, but the first that came up for me was Shelter which appeared quite informative.
I assume you did not pay your holding deposit via Openrent RentNow. Is there an office for the agent that you can pop into?
Was your holding deposit one weeks rent?
If they are showing others around still I dont think you can assume you 'have ’ this property, so I’d certainly keep looking for alternatives, whilst you try & find out what they are playing at.
Hi Karl,
The fee was £200. There is an office but I’m so angry about it I don’t want to go down there just in case I get upset and come across as rude. We’ve been more than polite and patient so far.
I just feel like we’re being taken for a ride. The whole process has taken so long. I just don’t understand why you would still be showing people around if we’ve paid a holding fee. Surely that’s what the fee is for? To ‘hold’ the property. Plus the tenancy fees act 2019 states it should be taken off the market.
Is that 1 weeks rent? That’s the important question, as oppose the the actual amount
No that’s just a flat fee used by the agent I think
Sorry, I don’t think I have phrased my question correctly. What I was trying to get at, is… is the holding deposit more than 1 weeks rent, as if so, that’s illegal under the Tenant Fees Act. Report them to Trading Standards.
No it’s not more than a weeks rent.
ask for your money back , its obvious you are not wanted. put it in an e mail or writing so you have a record.
personally I dont take a holding deposit its not worthwhile, a weeks rent is neither here nor there. we take a deposit and bond it as soon as possible when referencing done
All agents have to belong to redress scheme. The scheme should be advertised in their offices and on their website. I would report it to the redress scheme. If you are the first to report their malpractice they may only get a slap on the wrist. If it has been raised before they may receive some form of a sanction.