Councillor backs Shelter campaign

A YEOVIL councillor is backing the housing and homeless charity Shelter in its latest campaign.

Shelter recently launched its initiative to end letting fees after it was revealed that one in seven people alarmingly have been charged over £500 in letting fees from third party agencies.

Additionally, over half of those using letting agencies find themselves facing financial difficulties because of the extra administrative costs associated with moving home.

Cllr Jon Gleeson, who represents the Yeovil Without Ward on South Somerset District Council, said he was shocked by the findings.

“As a private tenant myself, I was dismayed to hear of the number of people who have forked out hundreds of pounds in costs simply to have a roof over their heads,’’ he said.

“I have always rented with a private landlord directly and I stay clear of letting agencies just simply to avoid additional fees.’’

Cllr Gleeson added: ‘’At this moment in time I could not recommend a single letting agency for those moving out of their parent’s home or social housing, because I’ve yet to find an agency that doesn’t seem to charge an unreasonable amount for the service in which they provide.

“What we need are fair, transparent fees.  And not just for tenants, but I want to see good letting agencies provide a good service for those landlords who prefer not to deal direct.

‘’It just needs to be a fair, consistent cost – and nobody should be having to pay over £500 a pop!”

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