A private landlord or agent can only charge fees permitted under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

A landlord or letting agent can charge:

• rent and limited fees for late rent
• a capped tenancy deposit
• a capped holding deposit
• damages for breach of tenancy agreement
• reasonable fees to change or surrender the tenancy
• a reasonable fee to replace a key or security device

You cannot be charged for:

• referencing
• credit and immigration checks
• administration
• renewing your contract

A holding deposit is money you pay to a landlord or letting agent to reserve a property before you sign a tenancy agreement.

The landlord must not show the property to anyone else if they take a holding deposit from you. It is sometimes called a holding fee.

A landlord or agent might take a holding deposit while they check things like:

• your references
• if you can pay the rent
• your credit history

Landlords and agents cannot take more than the cost of 1 week’s rent for the property.

Do you get your holding deposit back?

You should usually get all the money back if the landlord decides not to rent to you.

The landlord or agent might keep your holding deposit if you:

• decide not to rent the property
• give wrong information or tell them something that is false
• do not pass a right to rent immigration check

They cannot keep your money for any other reason.

A landlord can only charge rent in advance up to:

• one month if the rental period is one month
• 28 days if the first rental period is less than a month

Any contractual term specifying other amounts has no effect.

The rent in advance payment must be used for the initial period of the tenancy. For example, where rent is paid monthly the rent in advance must be used to cover the first month's rent.

Before you move into a privately rented home or sign an agreement, make sure you have the following in writing:

• How much rent you will pay and exactly what it includes. Check whether the rent includes bills.
• When you should pay. Rent is usually paid monthly.
• How you should pay. This is usually by standing order.

If you have any queries regarding housing payments, please contact NTSU Advice.