Tenant Fee Ban

The Tenant Fees Act came into force in England on Saturday 1st June 2019. The Act means that landlords and agents are now unable to charge for certain fees, for new tenancy agreements that are signed on or after 1st June 2019.

The fees still chargeable are:

• Holding fee – limited to the cost of one week’s rent and are also subject to deadlines for refunding money. To read more about the holding fee, please click here

• Security deposit – set at five week’s rent for annual rentals of less than £50,000 a year, six week’s rent for over £50k. To read more about what happens to your deposit please click here

• Rent

• Penalties for breaking the terms of a tenancy agreement, like paying rent late

• Payments in respect of some utilities

• If the tenant specifically requests some variations to the tenancy (including requesting a renewal or wishing to leave early), some limited charges may be made

The Government published an updated version of the How to Rent Guide which is a useful document to read for any prospective tenants.