What fees can tenants be charged?

Only: rent, tenancy deposit (capped at five weeks' rent), holding deposit (one week's rent), and default fees for late rent or lost keys as specified in the tenancy agreement.

What fees are prohibited?

Referencing fees, check-in/check-out fees, inventory fees, renewal fees, guarantor fees, and any other admin charges to tenants.

What is the holding deposit cap?

One week's rent maximum. It must be refunded within 7 days if the landlord withdraws, 15 days if no agreement is reached, or applied to the first rent payment if the tenancy proceeds.

What are the penalties?

First offence: up to £5,000. Repeat offence within five years: up to £30,000 as a criminal fine. Trading Standards enforces the Act.

Can landlords still be charged fees?

Yes. The Act only restricts charges to tenants. Landlords can still be charged management fees, referencing costs, and other agent services.

Tenancies & Possession8 min readLast reviewed 3 July 2026

Tenant Fees Act 2019 in England: Permitted and Prohibited Charges

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 bans most fees charged to tenants in England. Learn what landlords and agents can and cannot charge.

England only. This guide applies to private rented property in England. Wales and Scotland have separate legal frameworks — dedicated guides will be published separately.

Key takeaways

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 prohibits most fees charged to tenants in England.
Permitted charges are limited to rent, tenancy deposit, holding deposit, and specific default/breach fees.
Holding deposits are capped at one week's rent and must be refunded in most circumstances.
Charging prohibited fees can result in fines up to £5,000 per offence.
Agents must update fee schedules and train staff on permitted charges.

What the Tenant Fees Act changed

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 came into force on 1 June 2019 in England. It banned letting agents and landlords from charging tenants most fees beyond rent, deposit, and holding deposit. The Act was a major shift in how letting agents price their services.

Permitted charges

Charge	Cap / rule

Rent	No cap (market rate)
Tenancy deposit	Max five weeks' rent (annual rent under £50k)
Holding deposit	Max one week's rent
Late rent payment	Must be in tenancy agreement; interest-based calculation
Lost key/security device	Must be in tenancy agreement; reasonable cost only
Early termination	Must be in tenancy agreement; covers landlord's reasonable costs

Tenant Fees Act 2019 in England: Permitted and Prohibited Charges

Key takeaways

What the Tenant Fees Act changed

Permitted charges

Prohibited charges

Holding deposit rules

Compliance for letting agents

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

Stop chasing certificates. Start tracking them.