Tenant fees

Private tenants are protected by the Tenant Fees Act that came into effect on 1 June 2019. The Act limits the costs that landlords can impose on tenants to secure or renew a tenancy.

The only payments that landlords or letting agents can charge to tenants for new contracts are:

• rent
• a refundable tenancy deposit capped at no more than 5 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is less than £50,000, or 6 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is £50,000 or above
• a refundable holding deposit (to reserve a property) capped at no more than 1 week’s rent
• payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant
• payments in respect of utilities, communication services, TV licence and Council Tax
• a default fee for late payment of rent and replacement of a lost key/security device giving access to the housing, where required under a tenancy agreement

More information

GOV.UK: Tenants Fees Act 2019 guidance for tenants, landlords and letting agents.