London estate and lettings agency Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward (KFH) has announced a major change to its landlord fee structure, moving away from traditional upfront lettings fees in favour of a monthly billing model.
The move comes as the lettings sector continues adapting to the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act and the shift towards periodic tenancies.
KFH, which operates more than 50 branches across London and employs over 800 staff, said the change is designed to improve cash flow for landlords, remove upfront cost barriers and align more closely with evolving tenancy structures under the new legislation.
The agency believes the change reflects wider shifts within the private rented sector as landlords face growing regulatory obligations, increased compliance costs and changing expectations around property management services.
COSTS SPREAD MONTHLY
Traditionally, many London landlords have paid letting and management fees upfront at the start of a tenancy. Under the new model, costs will instead be spread monthly across the life of the tenancy.
The announcement comes amid continuing debate over the long-term impact of the Renters’ Rights Act on landlord behaviour, with some agents reporting increased demand for fully managed services as self-managing landlords navigate a more heavily regulated environment.
Earlier this year, KFH’s parent group Lomond reported that average London rents rose by 1.5% during 2025, while rental supply increased by 3% year-on-year, challenging claims of a widespread landlord exodus from the market.
STRUCTURAL CHANGES
John Ennis (main picture, inset), Chief Revenue Officer at Lomond, says the move reflected broader structural changes within the lettings sector.
He adds: “London property remains one of the strongest long-term investments in the UK, and our services should reflect how the market is evolving.
“The Renters’ Rights Act makes tenancies periodic, so it’s only right our fees move to a monthly model too, removing upfront cost barriers and giving landlords greater cash-flow flexibility.”
And he says: “This isn’t just a pricing update. It’s a signal of how seriously we take landlord partnerships.”
The shift is likely to increase pressure on other London agencies still operating traditional upfront fee structures, particularly as competition intensifies around landlord retention and managed service offerings.
