Forum Topic

Spacelet Accommodation Agency

Has anyone else here had dealings with Spacelet, an accommodation agency based at a private house Frithville Gardens near the market?I answered an advertisement for a property and got a mail back from them advising me that I had to register with them at a cost of £59.00. The Accommodation Agencies Act of 1953 and the Unfair Practices Directive (EU Law) make it quite clear that it is illegal for agencies to charge registration fees. If that is so, how is it that this agency are able to do this? Are they breaking the law?  I have today launched a barrage of complaints about this agency to a number of organisations and agencies (including HMRC) and have asked them all to contact this agency to check the legality of their actions. In the meantime, if anyone else knows anything, please let me know.

Shaun Joynson ● 5515d3 Comments

and just as a rider, a good agent is worth their hire and I would have no problem paying the administration fees. But, I have not needed an agent in the past, because the kind of small place that a single man like me needs can usually be got from a landlord privately. Its how I have got my last few places. Cheers again for the helpful information.

Shaun Joynson ● 5513d

Indeed Richard, You are quite correct that agencies can charge admin fees once they have found you a property.  I do intend to avoid this. I had hoped to avoid agencies altogether, but the initial ad did not say they were an agency. Thanks for the information.

Shaun Joynson ● 5513d

Whilst I have had not had personal experience of this company, I own and run an estate agent very close by and we regularily have tenants who have been to Spacelets and have been asked for a fee prior to being able to view properties. Whilst this is unfortunately a somewhat grey area as to whether the fee is for registering (illegal) or for arranging viewings (legal but sharp practice)the best advice would be to avoid this senario completely and ensure that when registering with Letting Agents that you ensure that you choose an agent who voluntarily subscribes to a code of conduct through the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) of National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) who promote industry best practice. N.B it is quite normal for an administration fee to be applied for the preparatory work once a successful introduction has been made to a property.

Richard Turner ● 5513d