Last updated: April 2026
The rules on what landlords and letting agents can charge have evolved since the Tenant Fees Act 2019 first came into force.
Under the combined framework of the Tenant Fees Act 2019 and the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, all tenancies are covered — including older agreements created before June 2019. This means that any clause requiring a prohibited payment, such as admin fees or reference checks, is no longer valid, and demanding such a fee may lead to enforcement action. If the tenant pays a prohibited fee by mistake, it must be refunded within 21 days.
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 preserves the general framework of the Tenant Fees Act 2019, but implements some minor updates.
What fees can be charged? (Permitted Payments)
Landlords and letting agents may only require the following payments:
- Rent
- Refundable tenancy deposit
- Capped at five weeks’ rent if annual rent is less than £50,000
- Capped at six weeks’ rent if the total annual rent is £50,000 or above
- Refundable holding deposit (to reserve a property)
- Capped at one week’s rent
- Reasonable costs for amending a tenancy agreement
- Payments capped at £50 (or reasonably incurred costs, if higher) for the variation, assignment or novation of a tenancy
- Utilities and services
- Utilities, communication services, TV licence and Council Tax
- Default fees, including:
- Late payment of rent
- Replacement of a lost key or security device, where required under a tenancy agreement
What fees are not allowed? (Prohibited Payments)
Common examples include:
- Fees for ending or leaving a tenancy early (now generally unlawful as fixed terms no longer apply)
- Administration or set‑up fees
- Fees for property viewings
- Check‑in or check‑out fees
- Inventory fees
- Third‑party service charges (e.g. professional cleaning), unless the tenant genuinely chooses the provider
- Any fee not explicitly listed as “permitted”
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