Short summaries compiled by Noetava from the pages and Acts named in each one; those are the authority.


What a landlord or letting agent can charge a tenant under the Tenant Fees Act 2019: the permitted payments and their caps (Noetava summary of the Act and the How to let guide)

Compiled by Noetava from the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (Schedule 1, permitted payments) and the government's How to let guide for landlords in England, so the list and the caps are stated once in plain words. The Act and the guide are the authority.

What can a letting agent or landlord charge a tenant for under the Tenant Fees Act? Only the permitted payments listed in Schedule 1 of the Tenant Fees Act 2019. Any other payment required from a tenant or guarantor in connection with a tenancy in England is a prohibited payment, whatever it is called. The permitted payments are:

Rent. A payment of rent under a tenancy is a permitted payment. Rent payable before an assured tenancy is entered into is a prohibited payment (from 1 May 2026), and if the rent for an earlier period in the first year is more than the rent for a later period, the extra amount is a prohibited payment, so rent cannot be front-loaded. (Tenant Fees Act 2019, Schedule 1, paragraphs 1 and 1A)

Tenancy deposit, capped. If the tenancy deposit exceeds five weeks' rent where the annual rent is less than £50,000, or six weeks' rent where the annual rent is £50,000 or more, the excess is a prohibited payment. One week's rent means the annual rent divided by 52. (Tenant Fees Act 2019, Schedule 1, paragraph 2; How to let guide)

Holding deposit, capped at one week's rent. If the holding deposit exceeds one week's rent, the excess is a prohibited payment. (Tenant Fees Act 2019, Schedule 1, paragraph 3)

Default fees, only where the tenancy agreement requires them, and only for two defaults. (a) Loss of a key or other security device: the charge is limited to the costs reasonably incurred as a result and supported by evidence in writing given to the tenant. (b) Rent not paid in full within 14 days of the due date: the charge is limited to interest on the unpaid rent at an annual percentage rate of 3% above the Bank of England base rate, for each day the rent remains unpaid. No other late-payment fee is permitted, and a landlord and a letting agent cannot both charge for the same default. (Tenant Fees Act 2019, Schedule 1, paragraph 4)

Damages for breach of the tenancy agreement. (Tenant Fees Act 2019, Schedule 1, paragraph 5)

Payment for a variation, assignment or novation of the tenancy at the tenant's request, for example a change of sharer: capped at the greater of £50 or the reasonable costs of the landlord or letting agent. (Tenant Fees Act 2019, Schedule 1, paragraph 6)

Payment for early termination of the tenancy at the tenant's request: to a landlord, no more than the loss the landlord suffers as a result; to a letting agent, no more than the agent's reasonable costs. (Tenant Fees Act 2019, Schedule 1, paragraph 7)

Payments in respect of council tax, utilities (electricity, gas or other fuel, water or sewerage), a television licence, and communication services (a landline telephone, the internet, cable or similar television services), where the tenancy agreement requires the tenant to pay them. (Tenant Fees Act 2019, Schedule 1, paragraphs 8 to 11)

Penalties: any landlords or letting agents found to be in breach of the Tenant Fees Act are liable for a fine of up to £5,000. If a further breach is committed within five years, they are liable for a fine of up to £30,000 or prosecution. (How to let guide)