Guide · Money
How much deposit can a landlord take in England?
In England the Tenant Fees Act 2019 caps what a landlord can take: the tenancy deposit, the holding deposit and, since 1 May 2026, rent in advance. Here are the limits, how to work them out, and what to do with the deposit once you have it.
The deposit cap
No more than five weeks' rent if the annual rent is under £50,000, or six weeks' rent if it is £50,000 or more. A week's rent is the annual rent divided by 52.
| Rent | Deposit, at most | Holding deposit, at most |
|---|---|---|
| £800 a month | £923.07 (5 weeks) | £184.61 |
| £1,200 a month | £1,384.61 (5 weeks) | £276.92 |
| £2,000 a month | £2,307.69 (5 weeks) | £461.53 |
| £4,500 a month | £6,230.76 (6 weeks) | £1,038.46 |
The figures are rounded down to the penny, so they never go over a limit.
The holding deposit
No more than one week's rent.
Rent in advance
You cannot ask for, encourage or accept any rent before the tenancy agreement is signed. After it is signed, the most you can ask for in advance is one month's rent.
Protecting the deposit
Put the deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it, and give your tenant, and anyone who paid it for them, the prescribed information within the same 30 days.
Enter the rent to see the most you can take as a tenancy deposit and a holding deposit.
Questions landlords ask
What is the maximum tenancy deposit in England?
Five weeks' rent if the annual rent is under £50,000, or six weeks' rent if it is £50,000 or more. The cap comes from the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
How do I work out a week's rent?
Divide the annual rent by 52. For example, £1,200 a month is £14,400 a year, which is £276.92 a week, so the most you can take as a tenancy deposit is £1,384.61.
How much can a holding deposit be?
No more than one week's rent.
Can I ask for rent in advance?
Not before the tenancy agreement is signed. After it is signed, the most you can ask for in advance is one month's rent.
When does the deposit have to be protected?
Within 30 days of receiving it, in a government-approved scheme. Give your tenant, and anyone who paid it for them, the prescribed information within the same 30 days.
Sources, read on 22 October 2026: Tenant Fees Act 2019, Schedule 1, paragraphs 2 and 3, on legislation.gov.uk; Housing Act 2004, section 213; GOV.UK Renters' Rights Act overviews for landlords and tenants (rent in advance). England only. Page published 28 October 2026.
Want the paperwork done properly? The RentRight Kit toolkits give you editable Word documents for England, in the order you use them: checklists, the tenancy agreement, letters and a filing log.