Hold on tenant fee bans until 2018

Letting Agent Fee Ban Unlikely Until 2018 

After Chancellor Philip Hammond's announcement of a ban on letting agent fees last week, a recent development from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) suggests any ban on charging tenant fees may not be implemented until 2018 at the earliest. 

Since a ban requires primary legislation to be passed and with parliament currently clogged with issues surrounding Brexit, the earliest opportunity to take the matter to parliament may well be Autumn 2017.

Rachael Williamson from the DCLG announced earlier today at an industry event that a consultation would take place next year with relevant industry specialists. Williamson stated "It is not in anyone’s interest to see rents rising. The Government is coming from position of making life easier for tenants."