http://landlordlaw.blogspot.com/2009/07/letting-agents-instead-of-renewal-fees.html

Apparently, they are doing their utmost to persuade tenants to leave at the end of fixed terms, regardless of the landlord’s wishes and the alternative of the tenancy continuing in statutory periodic form. This is often preferable for all parties except the agents, who stand to collect additional fees for introducing a new tenant.

Whilst Landlord Law Blog is right to say this is a breach of the agent’s fudiciary duty and hope it will be challenged as soon as possible, such a challenge is likely to depend on evidence from a departed tenant and, at best, there will be some time to wait before one emerges.

Meantime, the practice will inevitably promote increased “churn” in private rented housing and all “churn” results in spillage -people who cannot replace what they’ve lost for one reason or another and become homeless.

I knew it was widespread, but hadn’t appreciated it was this widespread: out of 424 letting agents asked 94% of those levied such charges:

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/let_down