Permitted payments
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 allows only:
- rent;
- a refundable tenancy deposit (capped at five weeks' rent, or six where annual rent is £50,000+);
- a refundable holding deposit of no more than one week's rent;
- payments to change the tenancy at the tenant's request, capped at £50 unless higher costs are evidenced;
- payments on early termination at the tenant's request, capped at the landlord's loss;
- utilities, communication services, TV licence and council tax;
- default fees for a lost key or late rent (interest at no more than 3% above base, and only once rent is 14+ days late).
Everything else is banned
Admin, referencing, inventory, renewal and check-out fees charged to the tenant are prohibited.
Penalties
£5,000 for a first breach, up to £30,000 or prosecution for repeat breaches, and possession rights are suspended until unlawful fees are repaid.