For properties in England, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 means that in addition to rent, lettings agents can only charge tenants (or anyone acting on the tenant’s behalf) the following permitted payments:

• Holding deposits (a maximum of 1 week’s rent).

This is to reserve a property. Please Note: This will be withheld if any relevant person (including any guarantor(s) withdraw from the tenancy, fail a Right to Rent check, provide materially significant false or misleading information, or fail to sign their tenancy agreement (and / or Deed of Guarantee) within 15 calendar days (or other Deadline for Agreement as mutually agreed in writing).

• Tenancy Deposit (equivalent to a maximum deposit of 5 weeks’ rent for annual rent below £50,000, or 6 weeks’ rent for annual rental of £50,000 and above);

This covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy.

Tenancy Deposits for student tenancies are capped at £600 per person (never to exceed an amount equivalent to 5 weeks rent).

• Payments to change a tenancy agreement – eg change of sharer (tenants request) – Capped at £50 per agreed variation.

To cover the costs associated with taking landlords instructions, new tenant referencing and Right-to-Rent checks, deposit registration as well as the preparation and execution of the new legal documents.

• Payments associated with early termination of a tenancy (tenants request) – Capped at the landlord’s loss or the agent’s reasonably incurred costs.

In the event of tenant(s) requesting to leave the contract earlier than the contracted end date, they shall be liable for all rent under the terms of the tenancy until a new tenant is signed, and any costs incurred by the landlord for re-letting the property.

• Where required, payment of ‘utilities’ (electricity, gas or other fuel, water, sewerage), communication services “telephone, internet, cable/satellite television), TV licence.
• Council tax (payable to the billing authority).
• Interest payments for the late payment of rent (up to 3% above Bank of England’s annual percentage rate and may only be imposed when the rent is 14 days overdue).
• Reasonable costs for replacement of lost keys or other security devices.

The Tenant is responsible for any reasonable costs incurred for lost keys or security devices. A single standard replacement key will cost in the region of £5. Replacement keys for non-standard or specialist security locks will cost a maximum £50 per key.

• Contractual damages in the event of the tenant’s default of a tenancy agreement; and
• Any other permitted payments under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 and regulations applicable at the relevant time.

Tenant protection

Client Money Protection is provided by ARLA Propertymark. Independent Redress is PRS (Property Redress Scheme).