Move 51⁰ North has become the first UK council-backed online lettings agency to offer private tenants an alternative to mainstream lettings agencies. Haringey Council in north London will charge private renters a fee of £180 to cover administrative costs and £72 for credit checks, with no requirement for renewal fees for continuing beyond the original contract period. The move is part of a wider push by councils across England to make it easier for people on low incomes to buy their own homes. Haringey Council estimates spending £500,000 in 2016-2019, with a return on investment expected by 2021. Dan Wilson Craw from the Generation Rent campaign group said: “The average household in London pays more than £400 in agent fees when they move home, so some disruption to the market is welcome. Dan Wilson Craw, policy and communications manager for Generation Rent, stated that the move is welcome and encouraged the consideration of much wider reforms to give renters even greater power in the market.
Move 51⁰ North has become the first UK council-backed online lettings agency to offer private tenants an alternative to mainstream lettings agencies. Haringey Council in north London will charge private renters a fee of £180 to cover administrative costs and £72 for credit checks, with no requirement for renewal fees for continuing beyond the original contract period. The move is part of a wider push by councils across England to make it easier for people on low incomes to buy their own homes. Haringey Council estimates spending £500,000 in 2016-2019, with a return on investment expected by 2021. Dan Wilson Craw, policy and communications manager for Generation Rent, stated that the move is welcome and encouraged the consideration of much wider reforms to give renters even greater power in the market.