Upad to add referencing fee to landlord adverts

Upad, the online lettings business that gives private landlords a platform to advertise on Rightmove and Zoopla, has launched a tenants’ charter.

The five-point ‘guarantee’ starts by saying that Upad does not charge fees. It says: “The rental price (and deposit) is the only charge the tenant has to pay Upad for letting the property.”

However, in its next point, it refers to its referencing service, charged at £50 plus VAT.

Its remaining points discuss the direct relationship Upad tenants have with their landlords, and how landlords should treat their tenants as valuable customers.

Commenting on his firm’s new tenant guarantee, Upad CEO James Davis said: “Tenants have frequently been on the receiving end of high agency fees or fees that have been hidden from view.

“The Upad tenant guarantee shows tenants exactly how they will experience Upad, including their direct relationship with the landlord and the low fees they will pay.”

We asked Upad for clarification over its fees. In particular, we asked how Upad would be showing the referencing charge on its listings, and whether Upad would insist on landlords who might make charges of their own displaying these.

Marketing manager Alan Duncan said that new wording is to be added to all listings: “No admin fees. Referencing may be charged £60 per tenant/guarantor.”

In reply to our second question, he said: “Any landlord can choose to charge for other services. However, we are looking at how else we can ensure best practice amongst our landlords as well as a feedback facility for any tenants who believe they have been charged erroneously.”