In a landmark scheme run by Barking and Dagenham Council could bring an end to administration fees incurred by tenants when wishing to rent new homes.

Residents within the borough can now contact the Council to provide them with a reference, if they meet all the standards, as well as verification that they are fully able to afford the rent and are good citizens as reassurance for landlords/lettings agencies. This saves them paying the fees on top of the deposit.

The MP for the constituency, Margaret Hodge, went to the council after receiving complaints from her constituents losing the chance of properties as they were unable to afford the fees.
She feels that although many landlords had indeed signed up many more should join in.

She said: “There are still letting agencies charging these fees. I would urge them to reconsider and I would encourage residents interested in renting privately to contact the council for help.”

The council’s Lettings Scheme came about because of the £300,000 government grant to decrease the number of homeless people living in bed and breakfast accommodation.

In November 2012 there were 113 families staying in B&Bs in the borough and there is now only 64.

P.I.M.S.co.uk believes that some admin fees are justified and that there is a real danger that this will spread across the country next year in the Election Year as political parties, no doubt, will wish to “attract” votes from this ever increasing part of the electorate.