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Introduction - The Tenant Fees Act 2019

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 sets out clear guidance as to what fees are permittable. The act applies to tenancies starting on or after the 1st June 2019. We will only charge permittable fees. Please contact us if you have further questions in relation to the permittable fees. The list below offers information on costs and charges that we may need to apply during or at the end of your tenancy. We never apply a default fee as we always look at the individual case, the time we spent and what would be a reasonable cost. It is important for tenants to understand that they have a responsibilities towards the upkeep of the property too. For example it is not the landlords or argents responsibility to change a light bulb. If we get asked to investigate a fault on the lighting and it turns out to be just a broken light bulb then the tenant will have to cover the costs for rectifying the problem, in this case this would be the time spent plus the cost of material. If a maintenance company or an electrician attended the full costs will have to be covered by the tenant. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 is not intented to create a situation that the tenant can off-load all tasks and responsibility including relevant costs to the landlord and or agent. Please note, all our fees are quoted inclusive of VAT.   For tenancies, which have started before the 1st June 2019 the previously agreed costs continue to apply until 31st May 2020. Please refer to the sections at the bottom of this page or if in doubt please contact us to verify which fees may apply to your tenancy.  

Holding deposit

One week’s rent. This is to reserve a property. Please Note: This will be withheld if any relevant person (including any guarantor(s)) withdraw from the tenancy, fail a Right-to-Rent check, provide materially significant false or misleading information, or fail to sign their tenancy agreement (and / or Deed of Guarantee) within 15 calendar days (or other Deadline for Agreement as mutually agreed in writing).

Tenancy deposit

The tenancy will require the following tenancy deposit which will be insured through the deposit protection scheme known as Mydeposits (please refer to the relevant section on our website):

Tenancies up to £50,000/annum: 5 weeks

Tenancies over £50,000/annum: 6 weeks

Inventory and check-in and check-out: no fee

We do not charge tenants for the provision of an inventory nor for the check-in and check-out of the property. Please note that this is not a card blanch for tenants to leave the flat in a bad state. The full terms and conditions of the tenancy still apply. Tenants are still expected to return the flat in a similar condition they received it with wear and tear excepted. As a default we expect all our properties to have been professionally cleaned at the start and the condition of the property will be recorded in the inventory. The tenant is responsible to organise the cleaning at the end of the tenancy so that it is ready for the hand-over. We do not expect tenants to better the condition of the property.

To sign new tenant into a contract: £50.00/per replacement tenant

£50 (inc. VAT) per replacement tenant or any reasonable costs incurred if higher.

To cover the costs associated with taking landlord’s instructions, new tenant referencing and Right-to-Rent checks, deposit registration as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents.

Variation of Contract: £50/per variation

£50 (inc. VAT) per agreed variation.

Late payment charges: 3% above the Bank of England Base rate

 Late payment charges are at 3% above the Bank of England Base Rate from Rent Due Date until paid in order to pursue non-payment of rent. Please Note: This will not be levied until the rent is more than 14 days in arrears.

Lost Key(s) or other Security Device(s)

Tenants are liable to the actual cost of replacing any lost key(s) or other security device(s). If the loss results in locks needing to be changed, the actual costs of a locksmith, new lock and replacement keys for tenant, landlord or any other person requiring keys will be charged to the tenant. If extra costs are incurred there will be a charge of £15 per hour (inc. VAT) for the time taken replacing lost key(s) or other security device(s).

Early termination fees

Should the tenant wish to leave their contract early, they shall be liable to the landlord’s costs in re-letting the property as well as all rent due under the tenancy until the start date of the replacement tenancy. These costs will be no more than the maximum amount of rent outstanding on the tenancy.

Additional checks and rectification of damage

Cost per hour: £42/hour Any additional time that we need to spent on rectifying unresolved issues in connection with the end of the tenancy such as but not limited to cleaning, repair visits, damage rectification and removal of items is charged on a pro rata time basis. The Act does not affect any entitlement to recover damages for breach of contract.    

Additional services: Repairs and services under the tenant’s responsibility

We always aim to provide the tenant with the opportunity to instruct a suitable tradesperson, service providers or handyman to deal with any issues falling under his/her obligation provided that they are adequately competent and insured. There may be certain circumstances which prevent this from being the right cause of action as there may be risk of further damage to the property or life. Tenants often ask us for contact details of tradesmen or services. We may at times be able to provide tenants with a list of such contractors or service providers. They are submitted with the understanding that KLEIN is not responsible for the tenant’s choice of contractors or service providers nor their fees or guarntees. The tenant will be responsible for work undertaken by the contractor or service provider he has instructed including all possible damages due to bad or wrong workmanship. Often, tenants ask us to help them to deal with maintenance issues in relation to the properties we manage but which strictly fall under the obligations of the tenants. The charge we apply can cover a variety of works or time spent depending on individual circumstances. For example a replacement of lightbulbs, topping up the central heating system, switching a fuse back on which tripped provided that this is not a fault on the actual wiring system. Such work is defined as a service to the tenant and not a charge by the landlord to the tenant. Cost per hour: £42/hour Under no circumstances is the tenant obliged to use our service or contractors suggested by us.