Estate Agent Today has the latest in the ongoing lettings renewals test case between Foxtons and the Office of Fair Trading... a dispute concerning the right of lettings agents to charge normal commission rates on simple renewals (in which the agency hasn't had to go out and find new tenants). OFT's barrister, Nicholas Green QC:

There is not necessarily any connection between an original introduction and a tenant’s decision to renew their lease. Where there is a link and the agent plays a part, we say it is fair for them to earn further commission. But what we object to is an automatic right to commission for forever and a day.

What's the betting we come out of this with less clarity than when we went in?

Foxtons and OFT hunker down for end-of-April showdown [April 3, 2009]
Letting agents and renewal fees: clear as mud [August 22, 2008]

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