Rent in advance
Most private landlords ask you to pay at least a month’s rent in advance.
Your landlord will usually ask for a tenancy deposit too.
If you pay rent in advance and a 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.
Find out how to get help to pay rent in advance and a deposit
How much can you be asked to pay in advance?
There is no legal limit on how much rent a landlord can ask for up front.
Some landlords and agents will ask for more than 1 month's rent in advance.
You might be asked for more rent in advance if you're renting for the first time, getting benefits or cannot pass a credit check.
It is illegal for landlords to disguise extra fees by calling it rent in advance. You cannot be asked for more than your rent would be for that period.
Example
Your monthly rent is £700. Your landlord asks for 2 months' rent in advance.
You pay £1,400 rent in advance (£700 x 2 months)
When you have to make your next rent payment
Your tenancy agreement should say when your next payment is due.
If it does not, ask your landlord when they expect you to make your next payment.
Sometimes you will not have to make another payment until the months you've already paid for have passed.
Example
Your tenancy starts on 1 January. Your monthly rent is £700.
Your landlord asks for 2 months' rent in advance.
You pay £1,400 rent in advance.
Your next rent payment of £700 is due on 1 March.
Some landlords ask for rent in advance to cover rent both at the start and end of your tenancy.
Example
Your tenancy starts on 1 January. Your monthly rent is £700.
Your landlord asks for 2 months' rent in advance.
Your contract says £700 is for the first month and £700 is for the final month of your tenancy.
You pay £1,400 rent in advance.
Your next rent payment of £700 is due on 1 February.
You will not have to pay any rent in the final month of your tenancy because you've already paid it in advance.
Getting rent in advance back through benefits
If you get universal credit or housing benefit to help with rent your benefit is worked out in the same way even if you've paid rent in advance.
So you should get some or all of the money you pay up front back through your monthly universal credit payments.
Write down how much you paid in advance so you know when you need to start making rent payments again.
Find out more about local housing allowance (LHA) for private renters.
Last updated: 18 October 2022
