Very true, Agents makes looking for a home very difficult for those in need. I have ever paid an agency of 6k and wasn't taking to any location. He kept posting me until I gave up. Over here even if the get a home for you aside the agency you will also pay 15% of the rent to the agent, some greedy agents would insist on 20% of rent.
If only going through the landlord or landlady was that easy it would cost less to rent a home and it will be a risk free procedure dealing directly with the landlord lord.
As in those people are now thorn in people's flesh. The extortion is just too much and going through the landlords is very difficult.
Exactly