Anti-agent group wants 'ethical lettings charter'

A pressure group which earlier this year held protests outside individual lettings agents' offices now says it wants a so-called ethical lettings charter which includes long-term tenancies, an end to agents' fees on tenants and reasonable deposits.

During the summer the pressure group ACORN staged visits to agencies in Bristol to ask why fees are imposed on tenants, instead of purely on landlords. The group also held a public meeting where agents were expected to explain themselves.

There were also what was claimed to be mass protests outside agency offices; although these turned out to be only small gatherings, at least one agency closed for a day as a result of the anticipated disruption.

Now ACORN has set 12 demands, some of which overlap and several of which merely repeat what letting agents already do. The demands are:

• recurring fixed term tenancies instead of insecure rolling contracts;
• three to five year fixed term tenancies where possible;
• reasonable notice periods for repossessions;
• all deposits protected as per the law;
• an end to letting agency fees to tenants;
• DSS welcome;
• pledge to control when and how much rent rises;
• reasonable deposits and protected;
• repairs done quickly and properly;
• damp dealt with;
• regular safety checks including on appliances and utilities;
• smoke and carbon monoxide alarms provided.

So far the group, which has received sympathetic noises from some local politicians, has merely set up an online petition to seek support. As yet, no new protests have been organised.