Agents reject claims that the Tenant Fees Act is a success, pointing to much higher rents as evidence that it has not been effective.
Research suggested the policy was successful in limiting some agencies from charging excessive fees. 
Researchers from the Universities of Warwick and Bocconi in Italy found that agency fees were reduced by an average of £400 per tenant.
“In fact, our five-year study shows that this policy has not led to rent increases.
The main effect of capping agency fees is that landlords save an average of £400 per tenant. ”
“Some rental agents have increased the fees they charge landlords, passing on around 25% of the lost revenue.
“The main effect of capping agency fees is that landlords save an average of £400 per tenant.”
But Jason Davis, director of Davis Properties in West Yorkshire, says:
The failure of policymakers to address the root causes of this crisis is astonishing. ”
“The failure of policymakers to address the root causes of this crisis, regardless of whether they sit in a Conservative or Labor seat, is astonishing.”
Philip Irick, director of Property Link Estates in Bath, agreed:
“Tenants save an average of £400 per contract – £33 a month over 12 months. Of course, rents have increased by more than £33 a month.”
It costs money
John Redden, partner at Belvoir Tynedale in Northumberland, said:
“Previously we were charging £240 including VAT, so we were left with £200. All landlords, without exception, have accepted to transfer that fee towards the tenant search/change fee.
“Since then, without exception, we have increased the rent by an average of £15.”
Tenant fee details
