What can a landlord actually charge me?

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 bans nearly every charge a landlord or agent used to make.

They can charge you for:

• rent
• a tenancy deposit, capped at five weeks' rent (six if the annual rent is £50,000 or more)
• a holding deposit, capped at one week's rent
• utilities, council tax and communications, if the agreement says so
• a default fee for a lost key or late rent, and only the actual cost
• a payment to end the tenancy early, capped at the landlord's genuine loss

They cannot charge you for: viewings, applying, referencing, an inventory, renewing, admin of any kind, or professional cleaning at the end.

If you have been charged something banned, you can ask for it back and complain to your local trading standards team. A landlord who has taken a prohibited payment also cannot serve a valid possession notice until they have repaid it.