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.
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.
For example, you might be asked for more rent in advance if you are:
renting for the first time
getting benefits
Landlords must not hide extra fees by calling it rent in advance. You cannot be asked for more than your rent would be for that period.
Example: working out rent in advance
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).
The law is changing
The Renters' Rights Act will mean landlords can only ask for 1 month's rent in advance.
This change has not happened yet.
When is your next rent payment due?
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.
You do not usually have to make another payment until after the months you have already paid for.
Example: if you pay 2 months' rent in advance
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: rent in advance for the first and last month
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 agreement says:
£700 is for the first month of your tenancy
£700 is for the last month of your tenancy
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.
More about local housing allowance (LHA) for private renters.
Last updated: 30 October 2025
