Landlords & tenants
Deposits and tenant fees: what tenants can be charged
The legal caps on tenancy and holding deposits, the only fees tenants can be asked to pay, and the rules on rent in advance.
3 min read · Checked against official sources on 27 October 2026
Deposits
- Tenancy deposit: no more than 5 weeks' rent where the annual rent is under £50,000, or 6 weeks' rent where it's £50,000 or more.
- Holding deposit: no more than 1 week's rent. It's refunded within 7 days unless there's a valid reason to keep it.
- Deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme.
Rent in advance
Since 1 May 2026, landlords and agents can't ask for more than one month's rent in advance, and only once the tenancy has been agreed.
The only other payments allowed
- Changes to the tenancy that the tenant asks for: £50, or reasonable costs if higher.
- Ending the tenancy early at the tenant's request: the landlord's reasonable costs.
- Utilities, council tax, TV licence and communication services.
- Late rent more than 14 days overdue, and lost keys, but only if written into the tenancy.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so check the latest position or ask us about your property.
