Private tenants

If you plan to rent via a letting agent or property management company, there are some checks you can make first.

Information that must displayed

By law, letting agents and property management companies must publish in their offices and on their website:

• a list of fees payable before, during or at the end of a tenancy, by landlords and tenants
• a statement on whether they protect clients' money, such as rent and fees
• the name of the government-approved redress scheme to which they are signed-up

Redress schemes provide a free and independent service for dealing with disputes between tenants and agents or landlords. Estate agents and letting agents must sign-up to one of the following schemes:

• Ombudsman Services: Property
• Property Redress Scheme
• The Property Ombudsman

If you have a dispute with your letting agent, you can complain to the relevant redress scheme.

We can fine letting agents and property management companies up to £5,000 for each breach of these legal requirements.

If you have concerns about a letting agent or property management company, you can report them to the Citizens Advice consumer service – they can give you advice and will pass on information to our Trading Standards service if they believe enforcement action may be needed.