Private tenancy agreements
This guide is for private assured tenants.
From 1 May 2026 most renters have this tenancy type.
Check your tenancy type if you need to.
Deposits, fees and charges
Your tenancy agreement or written information from your landlord should say:
how much your tenancy deposit is
when you might have to pay other fees or charges
If you pay a tenancy deposit
The deposit is your money. You should usually get it back when your tenancy ends.
Your landlord or agent must protect your deposit with a scheme.
They must give you separate written information that says:
which scheme is protecting your money
when your landlord could keep your deposit
how to get your deposit back when the tenancy ends
More on what happens when you pay a deposit.
Most tenancy fees and charges are banned
The law limits what you can be charged and when.
If it's in your tenancy agreement, your landlord can charge you for:
lost keys or fobs
late rent payments
Lost keys or fobs
Your landlord can only charge you for a new key or fob if:
the charge is reasonable
your landlord gives you written proof of the replacement cost
Late rent fees
Your landlord can only charge you if you are at least 2 weeks late with rent.
They can charge interest but not more than 3% APR above the Bank of England base rate.
Your landlord should follow GOV.UK tenant fees guidance.
Any term in your tenancy agreement must be fair.
Example: Fair term about late rent
"An interest charge will be made for rent payments received 14 days or more in arrears. The amount charged will be 3% APR above the Bank of England base rate."
The landlord can charge for late rent in this example.
Example: Unfair term about late rent
"Any rent not received on the due date will be subject to a 10% interest charge."
The landlord cannot charge for late rent in this example.
Changing your tenancy agreement
Your landlord can charge a fee if you want to change something in your agreement.
For example, if someone wants to leave a joint tenancy and you find a replacement tenant. Your landlord could charge for a new joint tenancy agreement if everyone agreed to this.
Your landlord cannot charge more than £50 unless they can show it is reasonable because the change costs them more than this.
Giving less notice to leave
Your landlord or agent can charge a fee if you want to give a shorter notice to end your tenancy.
The fee cannot be more than:
the rent you would have paid if you stayed
any reasonable costs, such as marketing the property
Complain about unfair fees or charges
You can complain to the council or to a letting agent redress scheme if:
your agreement says you can be charged fees that are not allowed
you are charged for things that are not in your agreement
More on tenancy fees and how to complain.
Last updated: 1 May 2026
