Checking your deposit

How Much Can A Landlord Ask For A Deposit?

Most deposits in England are capped at five weeks' rent, or six weeks' if yearly rent is £50,000 or more. Holding deposits are capped at one week's rent.

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5 weeksrent cap, if under £50,000 a year
6 weeksrent cap, at £50,000 a year or more
1 weekthe most for a holding deposit

In Short

In England, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 caps a tenancy deposit at five weeks' rent where the annual rent is under £50,000, and six weeks' rent where it is £50,000 or more. A holding deposit can be no more than one week's rent. Since 1 May 2026, landlords cannot take rent before you sign, and can then ask for at most one month in advance. You can ask for anything over the cap back.

Work Out Your Cap

  1. Find Your Yearly RentMultiply your monthly rent by 12.
  2. Get One Week's RentDivide the yearly rent by 52.
  3. Multiply By FiveThat is your deposit cap. Use six if yearly rent is £50,000 or more.

Holding Deposit Rules

  • No more than one week's rent
  • Usually 15 days to agree the tenancy, unless agreed otherwise in writing
  • Paid back within 7 days if it does not go ahead
  • Written reasons within 7 days if the landlord keeps it
  • Can go towards your first rent or deposit, if you agree
  • Not kept if the landlord's own conduct made you pull out

Will You Get The Holding Deposit Back?

You Should Get It Back If
  • The landlord decides not to go ahead
  • The deadline passes and you did your part
  • You sign, unless it goes towards rent or deposit
They May Keep It If You
  • Give false or misleading information
  • Fail a right to rent immigration check
  • Pull out of the tenancy yourself
  • Do not take reasonable steps to agree it

Rent Up Front, Since 1 May 2026

  1. Before SigningNo rent can be asked for or taken
  2. After SigningAt most one month's rent in advance
  3. Once It StartsRent is paid when due. You can still choose to pay early

Charged Too Much?

  1. Ask For It BackWrite to your landlord or agent asking for the extra back. Keep copies.
  2. Tell Your CouncilIts Trading Standards team can investigate and help you get the money back.
  3. Apply To A TribunalThe First-tier Tribunal can order your landlord or agent to repay it.
  4. Used An Agent?If they belong to a redress scheme, you can complain there too.

Was Your Deposit Protected Too?

The cap is a separate rule. Your deposit should also have been protected within 30 days. If it was not, you may be able to claim 1x to 3x the deposit. See how to check, who must protect a deposit and the 2026 changes.

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  • Full online deposit check and analysis
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  • With you at every step
  • £0 up front and £0 if you lose (terms apply)
Claiming Yourself
  • Search each scheme yourself
  • Work out if you qualify
  • Gather and organise all the evidence
  • Write the letter to your landlord
  • Pay the £387 court fee up front (Help with Fees may cut it)
  • Present your case to the court
  • Chase your landlord for payment
  • All the risk and work is on you
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If you win, the solicitor's success fee (up to 25% + VAT) comes out of your compensation. The solicitor pays us for the introduction, so you never pay us anything.

Quick Answers

What Is The Maximum Deposit A Landlord Can Charge?

Five weeks' rent if the yearly rent is under £50,000. Six weeks' rent if it is £50,000 or more. Anything above that is a banned payment.

How Much Can A Holding Deposit Be?

No more than one week's rent. The landlord should agree the tenancy within 15 days, unless you agree another date in writing.

When Must A Holding Deposit Be Returned?

Within 7 days, unless it goes towards your first rent or deposit with your agreement. If the landlord keeps it, they must give written reasons within 7 days.

Can A Landlord Ask For Rent In Advance?

Since 1 May 2026, on most private tenancies, not before you sign. After signing, at most one month's rent in advance.

My Deposit Was More Than Five Weeks' Rent. What Can I Do?

Ask for the extra back in writing. If they refuse, your council can investigate, or the First-tier Tribunal can order repayment.

Keep Reading

Checking your depositHow To Check Your Deposit Is ProtectedRead Checking your depositHow To Check Your Deposit With The DPSRead Checking your depositHow To Check Your Deposit With TDSRead
Sources

Last updated 16 October 2026. General information for tenants in England only (the rules differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). Not legal advice.

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