What’s The Story?
In the continuous battle to ensure the changes to letting fees are carried out in a fair and more positive manner, ARLA, have been at the forefront of negotiating how the fees ban can be approached in different ways. Although it appears the government are sticking to their guns, ARLA are bringing focus to one aspect of the fees ban that they feel tenants should still cover the costs for; Referencing Checks.

What is it?
Referencing checks, which include a right to rent check are required to be carried out by law. This is a paramount process that ensures the tenants are legally allowed to stay in the country and are entering a tenancy at a ‘sustainable level’ helping avoid any future financial demands they cannot meet.

Who will be affected?
From ARLA’s perspective, the new proposals will have negative impacts on Tenants, Landlords and Agents. This is the opposite effect to what the Government are hoping to achieve!

So, What’s Next?
ARLA is now calling upon their members and those involved in the rental sector to step up and inform their local MPs of how the upcoming changes should be considered from a different perspective. They have created a fully fledged artillery of materials to equip you with the tools to support the Letting Fees Campaign. If you head over to http://www.arla.co.uk/letting-fees/ you will find all you need to get involved, including valuable letter templates, talking points, a briefing paper and an economic analysis assessing the impact of the fees ban.

Remember
Any responses in regards to the consultation need to be submitted by 2^nd June

Other articles from our blog covering the fees ban
Housing White Paper: What does this mean for Letting Agents, Landlords, and Tenants?
Housing White Paper, The Factors Which Affect The Rental Sector
An End to Lettings Fee’s, the start of higher rent?