downsmail.co.uk Renters facing ‘hidden’ fees


A DAMNING report has found a plethora of problems for residen- tial renters in Maidstone. Citizens Advice Maidstone (Cam)


found bewildering fees and charges were being given to prospective tenants, with a lack of basic infor- mation, when it carried out a mys- tery shop of some of the town’s top letting agents. The research, which followed a


web survey, revealed not only big differences between agents’ fees and charges, but high bills for credit checks and registration fees. Some customers had to pay be-


tween £150 and £360 for a credit check (although an extensive credit check can be obtained for £49.99). Other fees included were for ap- plication, registration, documenta- tion, inventory, set-up, check-in, check-out, admin and tenancy de- posit fee insurance. Some agencies offered “all-in-one” fees, which could not be broken down further. There was also a lack of upfront information on refunds, such as which fees and charges could be re- funded should the tenancy not go ahead, and under which circum- stances any refund would be given. Therewas a shortage of upfront in- formation regarding deposit pro- tection and redress schemes. Cam also found some letting


agents were not willing or able to give information on their fees and charges over the telephone. Cam’s report, Letting in the Light,


found that information on fees and charges was often hard to find on websites and, in some cases, was non-existent – contrary to the Ad- vertising Standards Authority re- quirements. Bonny Malhotra, chief executive


of Citizens Advice Maidstone, said: “The market in letting fees and charges is not working.” Upfront fees and charges to prospective tenants, other than rent and a refundable deposit, are banned in Scotland and Mr Malho- tra would like to see the same sys- tem in England. He added: “If there are going to


be upfront fees and charges, many residential letting agents are going to have to be more open and trans- parent about them.” Mr Malhotra said he had referred


the Maidstone report to the national body of Citizens Advice. In the meantime, Cam is working


with Trading Standards on a fol- low-up. Mr Malhotra said: “We hope to carry out another exercise later in the year in the hope the agents will have taken on board our findings and made the necessary improvements to their services.”


Siingbourne in 1946. With wife Patricia “Pat”, Don raised children Nigel and Jane. His working life included years of fruit farming andwas closely involved in its organisation and management across the county. Donwas chairman of Kentish Garden from 1972 and also worked with the National Farmers Union (NFU). He served on the NFU’s soft fruit commiee andwas involved in dealings between the local industry and national government. Hewas awarded an MBE for his services to horticulture and the soft fruit industry in 1983. Son Nigel said: “My father’s involvement


in farming started with a small holding. But hewas enthusiastic about a number of things: he loved motorcycling and football; hewatched Charlton as a boy and went with me to Chelsea games and saw many of their celebrated players. “He loved classical music and learned to


play the organ, playing occasionally in church.” Don – whowas widowed – leaves his


son; daughter Jane pre-deceased him. He also leaves grandchildren Amy, Laura, Alan, Katie, Sophie and Oliver.


Jack White


THE death of Jack White, from Leeds, has been reported widely. Jack and his wifeAudrey arrived in the


village in 1983, when Jack retired from working in Portugal. He became known for


What the agents charge


A STRAW poll of Maidstone’s letting agents revealed most charged a set- up fee of about £300 – in one case as much as £425 – for referencing a ten- ant (which includes running a credit check), with additional fees of £60 to £150 for each additional tenant. “Hidden” fees included renewal


charges, early release charges, pet de- posits, express move-in and tenancy amendments. Some were as low as £125 per ap-


plicant for referencing and a £55 check-in fee – with no renewal fees after completion of the initial fixed term tenancy. One major chain explained the fees


and charges but failed to give any prices, arguing they varied fromprop- erty to property and branch to branch – yet the total would easily add £750 to the fees of renting a family home. Another town centre agency dis-


played no details about charges on its website apart from the monthly rental, although it did compare the amount of rent to other properties in the area. Louis Wiek, director ofCentury 21 in Maidstone, said: “We try to make things as straightforward as possible and keep costs to the minimum.”


his community involvement, which included work with the local branch of the Royal British Legion, where he served as president, treasurer, chairman and secretary. The parish magazine praised Jack’s “technical skills and immense common sense” which made him a valuable presence at community events. Jackwas also involved with St Nicholas’s Church, Leeds, where his funeral service took place. The parish magazine summed up: “Our community has so much to remain thankful for and Jackwas one of the people for whom most thanks are due.” Jack’s autobiography,An Ordinary Man, remains on sale locally. Jack – whowas widowed – leaves daughter Patricia and grandchildren Geoff and Caroline.


Colin Tuck


COLIN Tuck (83) lived locally for many years, most recently in St Faith’s Lane, Bearsted. He previously lived at 1 Spot Lane from the mid 1970s with wife Jo. Born in


Cambridgeshire, Colin trained for a medical career in the Navy and served nine years, rising to the rank of pey officer. He followed this with


Seventy per cent of Century 21’s business in Maidstone is residential lettings. Mr Wiek said: “Our fee of £150 includes referencing, checks, the contracts, inventory and the tenancy agreement and is one of the cheapest in Maidstone.” Stewart Carroll, senior branch man-


ager for Simon Miller andCompany in Maidstone, said: “We are not the cheapest – nor are we the most ex- pensive. We have had no complaints from tenants with regard to our fees, which I think is a compliment to the fact we have done our research. We ensure tenants pre-qualify before ar- ranging a viewing. “All our fees are on display in the of-


fice and contained in the tenants’ property list, which is given to every- one who registers with us.” The company does not charge a check-in fee but the check-out fee of £100 plus Vat is payable at the start of a tenancy to encourage the tenant to attend the inventory check-out ap- pointment. He said: “That way, there is an in-


centive for them to be present for the appointment – and it also means we can ensure they get any deposit back quickly.”


a career in sales, including working for Marley Foam of Lenham and Cleanaway, sellingwaste management systems. Colinwas father to Debbie and Penny and stepfather to Jonathan and Vanessa. Jo said: “Colinwas outgoing and sociable. He had many friends andwas verywell known in and around Bearsted. “Many of the tributeswe have received


have spoken of how popular hewas with everyone. He loved vegetable gardening and made his own pickled onions, which were given to a lot of people. “He also loved following sport and the


family once travelled to theWest Indies to see England play a test match. Colin adored his grandchildren and


taught them to fish – the song Gone Fishin’ was played at his funeral.” Colin leaves his wife, children, stepchildren and grandchildren Catherine and James.


Dave Currer


DAVE Currer (50), of Shortlands Green, Park Woodwas known locally as a motorcyclist and a volunteer with rehabilitation groups. Hewas also involved in organising the annual Green Fair in Mote Park in support of environmental causes. Many of Dave’s friends in the local motorcycling community have paid tribute to his genial nature and valued friendship. He died in an accident on the A274 near Biddenden.


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com Maidstone Town February 2016 33


Obituaries


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