HomeYour rightsRegulationsTenant Fees Act 2019
Statutory instrument
Tenant Fees Act 2019
Tenant Fees Act 2019 · In force from 1 June 2019
Bans almost all letting-agent and landlord fees on private rentals in England, caps deposits, and limits holding deposits to one week's rent.
Background
Before 2019, letting agents commonly charged tenants reference fees, admin fees, inventory fees, check-out fees, renewal fees and more. There was no cap on deposits or holding deposits. Combined, these costs put thousands of pounds on top of moving day.
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 was Parliament's response, banning almost all fees a private landlord or letting agent in England can charge a tenant. It came into force on 1 June 2019 for new tenancies and 1 June 2020 for all existing tenancies. Wales has its own equivalent.
What it requires
- Holding deposits capped at one week's rent
- Tenancy deposits capped at 5 weeks' rent (6 weeks if annual rent over £50,000)
- Reference fees, admin fees, inventory fees, check-out fees, renewal fees banned
- Change-of-tenancy fees capped at £50
- Default fees (late rent, lost keys) only chargeable at the reasonable cost
- Section 21 'no-fault' eviction notices invalid while landlord holds any prohibited payment
What it means for tenants
If a landlord or agent has charged you anything not on the permitted list, you can ask for it back, complain to Trading Standards, and report the agent to their redress scheme. The landlord cannot evict you using Section 21 while they hold the illegal fee.
Enforcement and penalties
Trading Standards can fine the landlord up to £5,000 for a first prohibited payment, and up to £30,000 or criminal prosecution for a second offence. Tenants can recover banned fees through the small claims court.
Official source
Related Help Centre guides
The Tenant Fees Act, getting back fees your landlord should not have charged
Since 2019 most letting agent and landlord fees are illegal. Here is what counts as a banned fee and how to get your money back.
Holding deposit not returned, what should I do?
A holding deposit can only be one week's rent and must be returned in 15 days, with limited exceptions. Here is how to get yours back.
What is a Section 21 notice, and is it still legal?
Section 21 'no fault' evictions were the standard route for private landlords to end a tenancy. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 has banned them. Here's the position now.
Has your landlord breached this?
Call us free or start a claim online. We tell you honestly whether you have a case worth pursuing.
By: Support for Tenants editorial team
Last updated:
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.