Tenant Fees Act 2019 tenant guidance first published

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government first published guidance for tenants on the Tenant Fees Act 2019 on 7 April 2026¹. The guidance applies to England and states that the Act "defines what fees and payments your landlord can ask you to pay"¹. In the document, "landlord" also means a letting agent, estate agent or building management organisation, usually the person the rent is paid to¹.

The guidance lists the payments a landlord is allowed to charge: rent once the tenancy agreement is signed, a refundable tenancy deposit, a refundable holding deposit, a payment to change the tenancy at the tenant's request, a payment for leaving without enough notice, contributions towards utility bills and communication services, a late rent fee, and a fee for replacing a key or security device¹. It states that rent must not exceed the advertised amount, and that after signing, a landlord can ask for a maximum of 1 month's rent before the tenancy start date¹.

Deposit limits depend on annual rent¹:

Deposits must be protected in a government approved scheme¹. A holding deposit is capped at 1 week's rent and can be held for 15 days unless a longer or shorter period is agreed in writing¹. A landlord who keeps a holding deposit must explain why in writing within 7 days, and must return it within 7 days if it is not kept¹. Tenancy changes requested by the tenant can be charged at up to £50, or more if the work costs more¹. Where a tenant leaves without giving the minimum notice, the charge cannot exceed the rent due until the notice period ends, described as 2 months starting on the day rent is due¹.

Default fees must be included in the tenancy agreement¹. Rent must be at least 2 weeks overdue before interest can be charged, at a maximum of 3% above the Bank of England base rate¹. The guidance gives an example: £500 owed for 1 month, with a base rate of 3%, gives a maximum annual rate of 6%, or £30 a year and 8p a day¹. It also states that a landlord cannot require a separate payment to them for council tax or a television licence, and cannot make a tenant pay for a loan, insurance or a service contract as part of the tenancy¹.

The page was updated on 11 June 2026 to clarify that default fee information needs to be in a tenancy agreement, and on 7 July 2026 with advice on guarantor agreements entered into before 1 May 2026¹. The guidance says tenants who are asked for a fee that is not allowed can refuse to pay, keep evidence, and report the matter to their local council, which can investigate and require repayment and can fine the landlord¹. Disputes can also go to the First-tier Tribunal, and complaints about letting agents to The Property Ombudsman or Property Redress¹. The guidance directs tenants to Shelter and Citizens Advice for advice¹.

Why it matters for households

The guidance sets out the limits that apply to private tenants in England, including the maximum rent in advance of 1 month after signing, deposit caps of 5 or 6 weeks' rent depending on annual rent, and a holding deposit capped at 1 week's rent¹. It also sets the point at which late rent interest can be charged, at 2 weeks overdue, and the maximum rate of 3% above the Bank of England base rate¹. For tenants with a guarantor agreement made before 1 May 2026, the guidance says the terms may be affected by tenancy reforms in the Renters Rights Act, and that guarantors should consider reviewing existing agreements and obtaining the landlord's consent to any variations¹. The guidance states that tenants or guarantors may wish to seek independent legal advice if it is unclear whether an agreement is affected¹. The page does not set out what those Renters Rights Act reforms are, and no commencement date for them is given¹.

What happens next

The guidance was first published on 7 April 2026 and last updated on 7 July 2026¹. No further updates have been reported¹.