Official consultation process begins on lettings fee ban for tenants

A consultation on the ban on letting agents' fees for tenants has been launched as the government aims to cut a fair deal for renters.

The government hopes the ban on letting fees will make it easier and more affordable for tenants to move around the rental market. 

Housing Minister Gavin Barwell, said: "We’re determined to make all types of housing more affordable and secure for ordinary working people. Tenants should only be required to pay their rent alongside a refundable deposit and not face hidden fees".

However, the lettings industry has said it thinks the government's plan to ban letting agents' fees will only lead to higher rents for tenants. 

The ban has been called a 'short term crowd pleaser' by some in the lettings industry, while David Cox, Chief Executive of the Association of Residential Letting Agents referred to an independent analysis which found that an outright ban could result in rents increasing by £103 per year. 

Ian Fletcher, of the British Property Federation, has argued that the consultation provides the best way of establishing how the ban will work in practice. 

The consultation is due to last from 7 April to 2 June 2017. 

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Property Wire