One month’s rent plus VAT: OCU takes on Engel & Völkers

One month’s rent plus VAT: that is the fee Engel & Völkers demands from prospective tenants, according to Spanish consumer group Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios (OCU). The group announced in Madrid, Spain, on 13 October that it has filed a complaint with the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda. It says Spanish rental law puts estate agency and contract costs on the landlord, not the tenant.

The disputed fee appears in a service agreement covering property searches, viewings, checks on applicants’ finances and negotiations over the tenancy. OCU says these are ordinary estate agency services, despite wording in the agreement that says they are not.

According to OCU, applicants must accept the charge to have their offer put before the landlord. The agreement says the fee becomes due when the landlord accepts an offer. OCU says it also includes payment clauses for people who withdraw or change an offer, or later rent the same property.

OCU says Engel & Völkers uses the agreement in several locations, raising concerns for consumers across different parts of Spain. It wants the authorities to investigate, stop such charges to tenants immediately and impose sanctions if they confirm breaches of the law.

Topics: Housing

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com