LETTINGS and estate agents who charge tenants extortionate fees could be named and shamed by Southend Council.

Southend Council’s ruling cabinet has backed a call by independent councillors Tino Callaghan and Laurence Davies to pinpoint agents charging high administration costs.

The campaign comes after Mr Callaghan’s son, Kieron, killed himself because he could not afford the cost of a deposit on a flat for his family.

Mr Davies said: “We are happy the council has decided to support the motion and hope tenants and landlords will too.

“Registration fees can be astronomical and we have spoken to many tenants who have been caught out with fees.

“There is definitely some deception going on and we would really like to bring that to light.

“The council can’t enforce anything but they can name and shame those who are not acting in the best interests of the public.

“A lot of people just accept the fees and are afraid that if they don’t, they will lose the property.

I would advise any Southend residents to report to the council if they believe they have been misled or ripped off.

“And if you are looking for a property, try and go private because it is a form of boycotting the estate agents and then they will have to change their ways.

“We are still investigating and are reluctant to release any names before we have finished.”

Prittlewell ward councillor, Mr Callaghan waged a campaign against high rents after his son Kieron, 25, took his own life last year because he struggled to pay a deposit on a flat.

He said: “We got elected to look after the people of Southend and right now and we are starting small with Southend Council.

“We are planting the seed and hoping it will grow. The only way to make real change is to lobby the Government to change the law, starting with a freeze on estate agents’ fees.

“Under Scottish law it’s illegal to charge an administration fee. We need something like that.”

Mr Callaghan said landlords charged up to £200 for admin costs and more for credit checks, which cost £12.