Why can't I charge my own admin fees?

Rent My Home has always upheld the policy of not permitting landlords to charge tenant admin fees. This practice became law in England on June 1st, 2019, following similar regulations in Scotland, with Wales subsequently adopting similar measures.

An admin fee typically encompasses one-time expenses such as property viewings, application processing, or tenancy setup. This excludes charges for bills, council tax, rent, or deposits. However, landlords have the option to include the costs of any administrative fees associated with a new tenancy in the monthly rent.

While we understand that additional work, such as conducting viewings, may be necessary beyond our standard fee, which is currently £500, these expenses, as well as other reasonable fees (such as gas certificates, electrical certificates, inventory fees, contract signing fees, check-in fees, check-out fees, etc.), are essentially one-time costs that can be factored into the rental amount.

Ultimately, landlords have full control over the rental pricing, and the rent should encompass the expenses associated with tenancy setup.