Holding deposits
What is a holding deposit?
A holding deposit is money you pay to reserve a rental property. It is sometimes called a holding fee.
Some landlords and agents ask for this while they check things like:
your references
if you can afford the rent
The landlord must not show the property to anyone else if they take a holding deposit from you. They can only take one holding deposit at a time.
A holding deposit is not the same as a tenancy deposit. You might pay a tenancy deposit if you go ahead with the tenancy.
How much is a holding deposit?
Landlords and agents cannot take more than the cost of 1 week’s rent for the property.
You can work this out like this:
Monthly rent x 12 ÷ 52 = maximum holding deposit
Do you get your holding deposit back?
You should usually get all the money back if the landlord decides not to rent to you.
But the landlord or agent might keep your holding deposit if:
you decide not to rent the property
you give wrong or false information
you do not pass a right to rent immigration check
The landlord cannot keep your money for any other reason. For example, you should get your holding deposit back if you do not pass referencing or credit checks.
Find out how to get a holding deposit refund.
What happens when you pay a holding deposit?
You usually have 15 days from paying a holding deposit to agree a tenancy.
You can agree a different time limit with the landlord or agent in writing.
Only pay a holding deposit if you can sign a tenancy agreement within the time limit.
The landlord or agent could keep your deposit if you change your mind.
Last updated: 5 October 2026
