If you are looking for rented accommodation you may decide to approach an estate agent or an accommodation agency to save yourself some leg-work. Take care! There are good and bad agencies and you might get some problems when dealing with agencies.

Estate Agent as agent for landlords charge landlords a letting fee. In most cases tenants will have access to estate agent’s lists without having to pay a fee. Estate agents are required by law to be licensed and bonded. Some estate agents are members of professional institutes who set down rules of conduct for their members.

Accommodation Agencies charge tenants a registration fee in return for information about premises to let. Fees usually vary from around 50. There are also agencies who do not charge tenants a fee. Other only charge a fee when tenant wishes to view a premises on the agency’s list. It would appear that accommodation agencies are also required to be licensed and bonded. However, the legal position is not clear.

While estate agents and accommodation agencies can save tenants a certain amount of leg-work in their search for accommodation, it is important to check that you are dealing with reputable licensed agency.

Ask the following questions before dealing with an estate agent or paying a registration fee:

• Is the agency licensed?
• What services are being offered in return for the fee?
• Ask for a receipt for any monies paid to the agency.
• Are you entitled to a refund if the agency fails to find you accommodation within a reasonable period?
• How often are the agency’s lists updated?
• What is the likelihood of the agency having accommodation suitable to your needs?

Some agencies claim to have landlords on their lists who accept low deposits and who are willing to accept rent supplements. But agencies do not normally have many of these landlords on their lists. If you plan to claim rent supplement ask the agency haw many landlords they have on their lists who are willing to accept rent supplement before you pay a registration fee. If you have got a problem with an agency contact your local THRESHOLD, 8 Father Matthew Quay, Cork City, (021) 4271250.