Rental cap

EXCLUSIVE: Trading Standards to halt agents charging pet rent if legal advice goes its way

The National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team (NTSEAT) has sought legal advice on whether agents can charge higher rents or additional ‘rent premiums’ for tenants who have pets, and a decision is likely next week, The Negotiator has been told. As we have reported before, many agents have been charging up to £50 a month or £600 a year as a ‘rent premium’ to tenants who have dogs or cats. This has been prompted by the tenant fees ban legislation in England and Wales, which capped rental deposits at five week’s rent for most tenancies, and six weeks’ rent for those over £50,000 a year. “This has caused some issues especially with problem properties and tenants where agents have always quite rightly said that they wanted larger deposits because it’s very difficult getting money back from people after they have moved on,” says James Munro, Senior Manager at NTSEAT (left). “So they want to ensure they have a contingency if there are problems during the tenancy. “They are saying five weeks’ deposit isn’t enough now, and understandably they are trying different ways of trying to deal with this. “But we’re not entirely happy with this because we think it’s something…

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