Deposit Cap Calculator
Calculate the maximum tenancy deposit you can charge under the Tenant Fees Act 2019. Deposits must be protected in an approved scheme within 30 days.
Divide your monthly rent by 4.33 to get the weekly figure.
Deposit Rules for UK Landlords
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 caps the amount you can charge as a tenancy deposit. The cap depends on the annual rent:
- Annual rent under £50,000: maximum deposit is 5 weeks' rent
- Annual rent of £50,000 or more: maximum deposit is 6 weeks' rent
These limits continue to apply under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Charging more than the legal cap is a breach of the Tenant Fees Act and can result in a fine of up to £5,000 for a first offence or an unlimited fine and banning order for repeat offenders.
Deposit Protection Requirements
All tenancy deposits must be protected in one of the three government-approved deposit protection schemes within 30 days of receipt:
- Deposit Protection Service (DPS) — custodial scheme (free)
- MyDeposits — insurance-based scheme
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) — insurance-based scheme
You must also serve the prescribed information on the tenant within 30 days. Failure to protect the deposit or serve the prescribed information means the tenant can claim compensation of up to three times the deposit amount. Additionally, you will be unable to gain possession on most grounds — only the anti-social behaviour grounds (Ground 7A and Ground 14) are exempt from this restriction. You can rectify by protecting the deposit at any time.
Advance Rent
Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, landlords can only request a maximum of one month's rent in advance. You cannot ask tenants to pay multiple months upfront, even if they offer to do so voluntarily.
Related Resources
This calculator is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest legislation at www.gov.uk.