Letting agent admin fees?

I suspected as much of Foxtons. The critiques of their strongarm style is so nearly unanimous across the board everywhere I've countered folks discussing them.

ETA: I guess "suspected" is too soft a word when so often the criticism is heartfelt and consistent.

Rents are still going up here, ahhhhh.

Where's "here"?

Cambridge.  I realise that some of it is students, but a lot of it are people who overstretched and now need to make the money back.

how are they making it back?

so why not go with foxtons and tell them you want something around £1000 and perhaps they would show you something around your price range?

or wouldnt work?    even if it did, would not want to deal with that...

From what I've gathered in my research, Foxton's a) will say "sure thing", then proceed to show you flats far and away over your budget, presuming you'll just give in and pay it, I suppose; and b) there's a general consensus that a flat listed by them is too often overpriced and they're not as willing as other agencies to negotiate it down to more reasonable market value.

FYI, Foxton's was briefly in the US but went bankrupt in short order (well before the financial crisis). Something about their business tactics not working well in this environment, as I was recall. And that was even before the founder sold it. Go figure.

yes, I recall... they came and went fast....
i will surely avoid them, or maybe call them and let them show me some flats and then NOT give in to what I did not ask for...

I agree.  Foxtons is horrible and generally a waste of time.  My BF has one experience with them, when him and his mates were looking for a 3 bed flat (i.e. 3 bedroom).  They were shown a tiny 2 bedroom, with one room having bunk beds.  Because 3 20 something guys want to share bunk beds.

so wait...
does this all mean that the prospective tenant pays the agent fees, not the landlords?
or both?

so wait...
does this all mean that the prospective tenant pays the agent fees, not the landlords?
or both?

The landlord pays a percentage of the rent as a fee.  The tenant moving in pays bogus "admin fees" that are usually a set rate (i.e., not a percentage of the rent).  The 'real' source of income for estate agents is SUPPOSED to be the landlord's fees, and the fees from tenants is just icing.

The landlord pays a percentage of the rent as a fee.  The tenant moving in pays bogus "admin fees" that are usually a set rate (i.e., not a percentage of the rent).  The 'real' source of income for estate agents is SUPPOSED to be the landlord's fees, and the fees from tenants is just icing.

Exactly. They charge the landlord fees too sometimes: like they'll say the admin/credit check/key transfer/door mat/look-see/greedy b*stard fees are split between you both, but I always tried to negotiate fees. Some agencies were willing, some not.

hjarrett: When you were looking for a flat, where did you stay in Newcastle, if you don't mind my asking? Are there any long-term hotel-type accommodations nearby?

Sorry Elly I just saw this-- we went with Week2Week. They have several locations throughout the city which are serviced apartments. Basically it's a completely furnished apartment that you rent like a hotel room.

We paid a disgusting amount  (£540 for one week in a studio, and rent for our 2 bed flat is £550/mo!) and hated the flat anyway. There are several companies that do this, though. Just Google "serviced apartments in Newcastle" and lots will come up. Thats how I found all the info when we were looking to book a place.