Renters forced to pay hundreds in ‘unethical’ fees to secure homes

Observer investigation uncovers cases where people were told to sign up to a zero deposit' scheme as a condition of their tenancy

Letting agencies are earning thousands of pounds in commission and in some cases flouting the ban on tenant fees by forcing renters to sign up to controversial zero deposit" schemes.

An Observer investigation has uncovered evidence of pressure-selling tactics by some agencies in England, including cases where people were told they were required to sign up as a condition of securing a tenancy.