It’s been less than a week since we started this petition. The support has been overwhelming, thank you for signing and particularly for sharing your own experiences. Now, more than ever, it’s clear that this is something that affects an incredible number of people – both tenants and landlords alike. I started this campaign because I, personally, had had enough - enough of paying fees which made no sense and seemed completely unaccountable and, through interacting with The Debrief’s readers I realised that I was not alone. As a result of your support I am now clear just how big the scale of this issue is. The renting market in this country is broken, and we need to get it fixed for us and for future generations. Brandon Lewis has replied to me to say that banning fees is not an option, 'A blanket ban on charging tenants fees isn’t the answer to tackle a minority of irresponsible agents and would lead to a poorer service.' I would argue that the problem is not, in fact, associated with a minority, nor would banning fees lead to poorer service - as demonstrated by Scotland. Those making decisions about this are not in touch with how renting actually works. We must continue to make the case that, actually, this is the only option. Letting agents are required by law to publish their fees ‘transparently’ what is this defined as? but this is not being enforced, nor is it enough. Transparency isn’t the answer – you look for a property, not an agent, so if the property you want is with an agent who charges high fees then, as a renter, you have no power, you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. We are becoming a nation of renters, home ownership is in reverse and the situation is only set to get worse. Renting is unfair and unaffordable. It would be great if you would continue to share this petition – the more signatures we have, the more weight we carry. So far, already, because of your support we have been featured in Time Out. We’re in next week’s issue of Grazia as well! And, to top it all off, I was on BBC 5 Live’s breakfast show this morning up against the Chief Executive of the Association of Registered Letting Agents to make the case for a fee ban – it went really well so please listen to it here at 1 hour 49 minutes. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07428sm That’s all for now. Be back in touch next week – this is only the beginning! Thanks so much Vicky & The Debrief