What a landlord can and can't charge you

If you have an older, protected tenancy, the Tenant Fees Act doesn't cover it, and the Rent Act 1977 has its own rules. See Are you a protected tenant?.

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 lists the payments a landlord can ask for. Anything not on the list is banned.

What can be charged

• Rent.
• A tenancy deposit, capped at five weeks' rent (six weeks if the yearly rent is £50,000 or more).
• A holding deposit of up to one week's rent.
• Bills your agreement says you pay, such as energy, water, broadband or a TV licence. Council tax goes to the council.
• Changes you ask for, such as adding or swapping a tenant: up to £50, or more only where the reasonable costs are higher.
• Leaving early at your request without giving the full notice: no more than the landlord's actual loss.
• Late rent, only if your agreement says so and the rent is 14 days late. Interest is capped at 3% above the Bank of England base rate.
• A lost key or fob: the reasonable cost of replacing it, shown to you in writing.
• Damages, meaning compensation for loss if the tenancy agreement is broken.

What can't be charged

Anything else. That rules out fees for viewings, referencing, paperwork, renewals, check-in or check-out. A landlord also can't make you buy insurance, sign up to a service or take out a loan as a condition of renting, though you're free to choose contents insurance for yourself.

Holding deposits

• A holding deposit reserves the home for 15 days, unless you agree a different period in writing.
• It comes back within 7 days of signing, unless you agree to put it towards your first rent or deposit. It also comes back if the landlord decides not to go ahead, or time runs out.
• It can only be kept in the cases the Act sets out, such as giving false or misleading information or deciding not to go ahead. If it's kept, you must be told why in writing within 7 days, or it has to be repaid. See holding deposits.

What changed in May 2026

No rent can be taken before you sign. Between signing and moving in, the most rent you can be asked for is the first month's (28 days' if you pay weekly).

If you're asked for something that isn't allowed

Please tell us, and keep a record. If it isn't put right, your local council can investigate, and the First-tier Tribunal can order a banned payment to be repaid.

Find out more

• Tenant Fees Act 2019: guidance for tenants (GOV.UK)
• Rent in advance and deposits (GOV.UK)
• Tenant Fees Act 2019, Schedule 1 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Tenant Fees Act 2019, Schedule 2 (legislation.gov.uk)