People renting homes in Devon are being urged not to be caught out by landlords' and letting agents' fees that are now banned.

Tenants, or potential tenants, can no longer be asked to pay extra for professional cleaning, or charged for having a pet. They shouldn't be asked to pay for drawing up contracts, or admin costs.

Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service has launched a campaign raising awareness of the costs and fees that are still legally allowed.

Meanwhile, Teignbridge District Council is organising free online training for landlords, to help them with the complex business of letting property and managing a tenancy.

Trading Standards are advising tenants of the costs they should expect to pay.

These include:

• Rent

• A refundable tenancy deposit

• A refundable holding deposit of no more than one week's rent.

• A reasonable payment in the event of the tenant's default (such as a lost key or a failure to pay rent on time)

• Payments to change the tenancy (capped at £50 or the reasonable costs of the landlord or letting agent if they are higher)

• Payments on termination of a tenancy

• Payments relating to council tax, utilities, TV licence and bills such as telephone, internet, cable TV and satellite TV

You can find out more information, including how to report any concerns, on the Trading Standards website.

Ben Newell, Team Manager at Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards said: "Lots of people rent homes in the south-west, so it's really important to be aware of your rights as a tenant and how these changes in the law might affect you.

"Renting can be expensive as it is, so you don't want to get caught out by any additional, and potentially high, fees that are no longer allowed.

"There's lots of useful information on our website about what you can and can't be charged for, so I'd encourage anyone who is renting or thinking about renting to find out more before they sign on the dotted line."

Free training for Teignbridge landlords

Teignbridge Council is inviting landlords to view an online training session on Friday, July 2, delivered by Training for Professionals and organised in conjunction with the South West Landlord Association.

It covers all aspects of setting up, managing and ending a tenancy.

On completion of the course, attendees will be offered a free first year's membership of the South West Landlord Association.

This gives members access to free advice, downloadable letting-related documents, newsletters and trade discounts.

Landlords can book a place for the course here on Teignbridge District Council's website.