Caroline Lucas, Green Party general election candidate for Brighton Pavilion constituency, is calling for an Office of Fair Trading investigation into the crippling charges levied against private tenants by letting agents and managing agents.

Speaking today Caroline Lucas, who is MEP for the South East including Brighton, said:
"The charges are an unfair and unregulated tax on tenants, with letting agents able to charge whatever they like. Tenants, many of whom are on low incomes and vulnerable, are unwilling to challenge the charges for fear of being denied access to homes. We have evidence of unfair charging among our own party members and from people who have complained to Green councillors."

‘A national Citizens Advice survey confirms our findings. It found that 94 per cent of lettings agents milk tenants for all they're worth by imposing up to seven additional charges, not counting the tenancy deposit and rent in advance. These include non-returnable holding deposits, reference check charges, administration fees, a check-in inventory charge and a tenancy renewal fee.

‘Agents can charge what they like. The charge for renewing a tenancy, a particular concern for people we have talked to in Brighton and Hove, can range from £12 to £200. This is entirely unacceptable. We share Citizens Advice view that action is needed on the this issue. An OFT investigation would be a good way to start it.'

Councillor Bill Randall, Convenor of the Green Group of Councillors on Brighton and Hove City Council, supported Caroline's call, saying:
"The government has promised controls of letting and managing agents, but their proposals do not cover these unregulated charges. We will be asking the council to urge the government to take action over these charges and to ask the Conservative Party to pledge their support for controls. We will also ask the council to commission the trading standards department to carry out ‘mystery shopping' trips among Brighton and Hove's letting agents to determine just how crippling these charges can be."

Caroline met this morning with the CEO of the Brighton Housing Trust, where she discussed the issues the Trust face, as well as how she will be able to support them if she is elected as the MP for Brighton Pavilion.

For more information please contact the Brighton and Hove Green Party office on 01273 766 670