Permitted payments
For properties in England, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 means that lettings agents can only charge tenants (or anyone acting on the tenant's behalf) the following permitted payments:
- The rent (payable as outlined in the tenancy agreement)
- Utility Bills (Gas, Electricity,Water, Telephone, Broadband, TV Licence, Council Tax) – payable as outlined in the tenancy agreement)
- A holding deposit to secure the property subject to reference checks (being a maximum of 1 week's rent)
- The Security Deposit (5 weeks' rent, rising to 6 weeks' rent where the annual rent is in excess of £50,000.
- Payments to change a tenancy agreement eg. mid tenancy change of sharer (at £100 inc vat per single tenant change).
- Payments associated with early termination of a tenancy (capped at the landlord's loss of rent and £350 + vat for Courtneys administration process). This does not apply if a break clause right has been exercised by the tenants.
- Interest payments for the late payment of rent (up to 3% above Bank of England's annual percenage rate)
- Reasonable costs for replacement of lost keys or other security devices (including a change of lock if required)
- Contractual damages in the event of the tenant's breach of one or more obligations of a tenancy agreement
- Any other permitted payments under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
