Updated October 2026
In short: In England, a tenancy deposit is capped at five weeks' rent where the annual rent is under £50,000, and six weeks' where it's £50,000 or more. A holding deposit is capped at one week's rent. Landlords can't ask for an extra "pet deposit" above the cap, and the deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days.
| Payment | Maximum |
|---|---|
| Holding deposit | 1 week's rent |
| Tenancy deposit (rent under £50k a year) | 5 weeks' rent |
| Tenancy deposit (rent £50k+ a year) | 6 weeks' rent |
| Rent in advance | 1 month (since 1 May 2026) |
| Admin, referencing or check-in fees | Not allowed |
Weekly rent calculation
To work out the cap, multiply the monthly rent by 12 and divide by 52 to get the weekly rent, then multiply by five. For example, rent of £1,500 a month is about £346 a week, so the maximum deposit is about £1,730.
Make sure your deposit is protected
- Protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days
- Prescribed information given to you
- A check-in inventory you've reviewed and signed
- Keep photos of the property's condition at the start
If you've paid too much
Ask the landlord or agent in writing to refund the excess. If they refuse, contact Trading Standards, which enforces the Tenant Fees Act. If the deposit wasn't protected, you can claim compensation of one to three times the deposit through the courts.
How Fraser Bond handles deposits
- Deposits within the legal caps
- Protected in an approved scheme with prescribed information
- Detailed inventories to avoid disputes
- Fair, evidence-based deductions
Related guides
Fraser Bond services: Rental · Property services · Contact us
