Potential blanket ban on agents’ fees should be reconsidered

Propertymark is urging caution on proposed legislation in Northern Ireland that seeks to ban letting agents from charging tenants certain fees. While the bill aims to make renting more affordable, Propertymark warns that preventing agents from recovering legitimate business costs could lead to higher rents as landlords seek to offset losses.

A consultation was held to clarify which fees are considered fair, and representatives from the property sector met with MLA Ciara Fergurson to provide feedback. Propertymark argues that some fees—such as replacing lost keys or amending contracts—are necessary, and a blanket ban could lead to unintended consequences, such as reduced service quality or rent hikes.

Instead, Propertymark recommends focusing on transparency, ensuring tenants fully understand any extra charges they may face. They also stress the need for stronger enforcement to prevent unfair fees while allowing agents to recover essential costs.

The professional body warns that without careful policy design, the legislation could fail to meet its intended goal of making housing more accessible. They support clearer rules rather than an outright ban, arguing that better regulation will create fairness without negatively impacting tenants or landlords.