Green Party members visited ten lettings agents across south Hackney and found more than half are potentially breaking the law on displaying lettings agency fees.

Of the ten agents visited, four displayed the fees they charge renters. Six did not display their fees, and several could not provide a list of fees when asked, as required by law.

Charlotte George, Hackney Green Party Coordinator said “Several of the staff I spoke to did not even know what fees were, let alone the fact they are meant to show them clearly so renters can see how much it will cost to live somewhere.”

The fees charged varied from £150 to over £500. Hackney Green Party will be providing details of the agents visited to Hackney Council and call on them to investigate.

Charlotte George added “The Green Party want lettings agency fees banned, as they are in Scotland. Our visits, to just ten of the 270 lettings agents in Hackney, show the need for greater regulation and enforcement to protect tenants from being ripped off. It is now up to Hackney Council to enforce the law.”