In accordance with the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords and letting agents are prohibited from charging tenants prohibited fees. This includes charges for inventory check-in or check-out, administration fees, tenancy agreement fees and other non-permitted charges. The information below outlines the fees that may apply to landlords and tenants in accordance with current legislation. Please find the guidance below. 

Tenant Fees Act 2019 Guidance for Landlords and Agents

Tenant Fees

In accordance with the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords and letting agents are prohibited from charging tenants prohibited fees. This includes charges for inventory check-in or check-out, administration fees, tenancy agreement fees and other non-permitted charges.

Permitted payments include:

• Rent.
• A refundable tenancy deposit (subject to the statutory deposit cap).
• A refundable holding deposit.
• Payments to vary a tenancy where requested by the tenant.
• Payments associated with ending a tenancy early where requested by the tenant.
• Charges for lost keys or security devices, being the reasonable costs actually incurred.
• Interest on late rent where permitted by law.
• Payments for utilities, communication services, television licence and Council Tax where these are payable under the tenancy agreement.
• Default fees where permitted under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

Where pets are accepted, any additional arrangements will be agreed between the landlord and tenant in accordance with current legislation.

Landlord Services

Let Only Service

Fee: 10% + VAT of the agreed rent.

This service includes:

• Professional marketing of the property.
• Accompanied viewings.
• Tenant referencing.
• Negotiation of tenancy terms.
• Preparation of the Assured Periodic Tenancy Agreement and prescribed documentation.
• Collection of the first month's rent.
• Collection and registration of the tenancy deposit (where applicable).

Letting & Rent Collection Service

Fee: 12% + VAT of the agreed rent.

Includes:

• All Let Only services.
• Monthly rent collection.
• Rent statements.
• Monitoring of rental payments.
• Arrears management where necessary.

Fully Managed Service

Fee: 15% + VAT of the agreed rent.

Includes:

• Marketing and accompanied viewings.
• Tenant referencing.
• Preparation of tenancy documentation.
• Rent collection.
• Deposit administration.
• Day-to-day property management.
• Liaison with tenants and contractors.
• Arranging maintenance and repairs.
• Routine property inspections.
• Rent review advice where appropriate.
• Ongoing tenancy administration.

Short Let – Let Only

Fee: 20% + VAT of the agreed rent for the duration of the short let.

Includes marketing, tenant sourcing, referencing, negotiation and preparation of tenancy documentation.

Short Let – Fully Managed

Fee: 25% + VAT of the agreed rent for the duration of the short let.

Includes full management of the property throughout the short letting period.

Additional Landlord Charges

Tenancy Documentation

£300 (including VAT).

Inventory Check-In / Check-Out

£150–£800 (including VAT), depending on the size and type of the property.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

From £150 (including VAT).

Gas Safety Certificate

From £120 (including VAT).

Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

From £180 (including VAT).

Legionella Risk Assessment

From £120 (including VAT).

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Compliance Visit

£120 (including VAT), where required.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Identity Verification

No charge.

Identity verification may nevertheless be required before we are able to proceed with certain transactions.

Maintenance & Repairs

Repairs and maintenance costing less than £500 (excluding VAT) may be instructed without prior consultation where necessary for the proper management or safety of the property, unless alternative written instructions have been agreed with the landlord.

For expenditure exceeding this amount, we will normally seek the landlord's approval before instructing works, except in genuine emergencies or where immediate action is required to comply with legal obligations or prevent damage to the property.

Ongoing Tenancy Administration

Following the introduction of Assured Periodic Tenancies, fixed-term tenancy renewals no longer apply.

Where a tenant introduced by Douglas Lyons & Lyons Estate Agency remains in occupation after the initial letting, and we continue to act on behalf of the landlord, an ongoing agency fee will be payable every six months.

The ongoing fee will be calculated as follows:

• Let Only Service: 5% + VAT of the annual rent, charged every six months (equivalent to 10% + VAT per annum).
• Letting & Rent Collection Service: 6% + VAT of the annual rent, charged every six months (equivalent to 12% + VAT per annum).
• Fully Managed Service: 7.5% + VAT of the annual rent, charged every six months (equivalent to 15% + VAT per annum).

The six-monthly fee is calculated by applying the relevant percentage to the annual rent and dividing the total into two equal instalments. The fee will continue to be payable for as long as the tenant introduced by Douglas Lyons & Lyons Estate Agency remains in occupation and we continue to provide the agreed service, unless otherwise agreed in writing or our agency agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.

Sales Fees

Sole Agency

Fee: 2% + VAT of the agreed sale price.

Commission becomes payable upon successful completion unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Multiple Agency

Fee: 2,5% + VAT of the agreed sale price.

Commission becomes payable upon successful completion unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Compliance

Client Money Protection: Douglas Lyons & Lyons is a member of Client Money Protect, membership no. CMP 002583 in accordance with section 83(6) of the Consumer Rights Act 2015

Client Money Protection Certificate

Property Redress Scheme: Douglas Lyons & Lyons is a member of the Property Redress Scheme, membership no. PRS011273

The Property Ombudsman: Douglas Lyons & Lyons is a member of The Property Ombudsman, membership no. N00009

HMRC Anti Money Laundering Registration Number: XNML00000164577