Rent in advance
This advice is for private assured tenants.
Before signing an agreement
From 1 May 2026, landlords and agents cannot ask for rent in advance before you sign a tenancy agreement.
Even if you offer to pay rent before signing an agreement, they cannot accept it.
It should stop 'rent bidding'. This is when agents encourage private renters to offer more than the advertised rent.
After signing an agreement
Your landlord or agent can only take up to 1 month's rent before you move in.
This payment is for the first month's rent.
You can choose to pay more than this but your landlord or agent cannot insist on this.
Example: Rent in advance
Fred sees a property for rent. The advert says:
'This property is available from 1 January. Rent is £550 a month.'
The landlord can only ask Fred to pay rent in advance if he signs a tenancy agreement before 1 January.
The landlord cannot ask for more than £550 rent in advance. This will cover the first month’s rent payment.
Your landlord or letting agent must not:
hide extra fees by calling it rent in advance
make you pay more than 1 month's rent in advance
make you pay rent in advance before you sign a tenancy agreement
Find out what to do if you are charged extra fees.
When is your next rent payment due?
Most private tenants pay rent monthly.
Your landlord must use any rent paid in advance for your first month's rent.
It means that if you pay 1 month's rent in advance, you do not have to pay rent until 1 month after you move in.
Example: When is the next rent payment due?
Bushra signs a tenancy agreement in November.
The tenancy starts on 15 December.
Bushra pays a month's rent in advance before she moves in.
She does not have to make another rent payment until 15 January.
Rent in advance if you get universal credit
The landlord or agent will probably still ask for rent in advance. So you need to budget for this.
They might also ask for a deposit.
Report your house move to universal credit (UC)
Report changes in your universal credit account on GOV.UK.
Use the 'report a change' tab in your journal.
You can also report changes over the phone or at the jobcentre.
Make sure you do this as soon as you move. Try to do it in the same assessment period.
Your UC for the whole of that assessment period is worked out based on your new rent. You will not get the payment until the next month because of the way UC is paid.
More advice on:
Universal credit might not pay your full rent
You should make sure all your rent is paid. You could get extra help from the council.
Find out about housing payments.
If you pay a deposit at the same time
If you pay rent in advance and a tenancy deposit at the same time, make sure it's clear:
what each payment is for
how much rent is covered by the payment
Ask for a receipt if you pay cash for your rent in advance or deposit.
Your tenancy agreement or other documents should make it clear what each payment is for.
Last updated: 25 September 2026
