§ 13. Mr. Robert Daviesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps are taken to enforce the Accommodation Agencies Act, 1953, against accommodation agencies in 1136 London which charge tenants of furnished lettings a week's rent for putting them in touch with their landlords.
§ Mr. MacCollIt is not an offence under the Act to provide that an incoming tenant should pay an agent's normal fee for arranging the letting of furnished accommodation.
§ Mr. DaviesOught it not to be made an offence? Is it not intolerable that tenants should be charged for being put in touch with their landlords, and is not this contrary to the intention of the Accommodation Agencies Act?
§ Mr. MacCollThe object of the Act was to stop fees being extorted from people who got no service in return, whereas in the case raised by my hon. Friend there is a service performed in arranging the letting.