Dixons Estate Agents, part of the Countrywide Group, has recently agreed to provide refunds to tenants who have been charged unfair fees over the years. This comes as a result of an investigation by Trading Standards in 2017, which found that Dixons had been charging tenants excessive fees for things like renewing a tenancy or conducting credit checks. Here’s what you need to know about Dixons Estate Agents refunds.
Who is entitled to a refund?
If you are a current or former tenant who rented a property through Dixons Estate Agents between 1 April 2013 and 30 November 2018, you may be entitled to a refund. This applies even if you are no longer living in the property. However, if you agreed to waive your right to a refund as part of a settlement agreement with Dixons, you will not be able to claim.
What kind of fees are being refunded?
Dixons Estate Agents is refunding fees that were charged unfairly, meaning they were in breach of the Tenant Fees Act 2019 or other relevant legislation. This could include fees for things like renewing a tenancy, changing a name on a tenancy agreement, or conducting credit checks. The specific fees that are being refunded will depend on the individual circumstances of each case.
How do I claim a refund?
If you think you are entitled to a refund, you should contact Dixons Estate Agents directly. They have set up a dedicated email address ([email protected]) and phone line (0800 023 8361) for refund enquiries. You will need to provide details of your tenancy and the fees you were charged.
What happens if I don’t have all the necessary information?
Dixons Estate Agents has said that they will try to help tenants who don’t have all the necessary information to make a claim. This might include things like old tenancy agreements or receipts for payments. However, if they are unable to verify the claim, they may not be able to process the refund.
How much will I get back?
The amount that you will get back will depend on the individual circumstances of each case. Dixons Estate Agents has said that they will refund the full amount of any fee that was charged unfairly, plus interest. The interest will be calculated at a rate of 8% per year from the date the fee was paid.
When will I get my refund?
Dixons Estate Agents has not given a specific timeline for when refunds will be processed. They have said that they will aim to deal with refund enquiries as quickly as possible, but that it may take some time to process claims.
What if I’m not happy with the refund offer?
If you are not happy with the refund offer made by Dixons Estate Agents, you can take your complaint to the Property Ombudsman (TPO). The TPO is an independent body that deals with complaints and disputes between consumers and property agents. They may be able to help resolve your complaint and secure a better refund for you.
Is this a one-off or are other estate agents doing the same?
Dixons Estate Agents is not the only company that has been caught out for charging excessive fees to tenants. Other estate agents, including Foxtons and Barnard Marcus, have also faced fines and refunds for similar practices. In fact, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 was introduced specifically to ban such fees and protect tenants from unfair charges.
In conclusion, if you are a current or former tenant of Dixons Estate Agents, you may be entitled to a refund for unfair fees that were charged to you. Contact Dixons directly to make a claim and provide any relevant information that you have. If you are not happy with the refund offer, you can take your complaint to the Property Ombudsman. Remember that other estate agents have also been found guilty of similar practices, so it is important to be vigilant and aware of your rights as a tenant.