Tenant Fees

A clear, transparent breakdown of every fee you may encounter before, during, and at the end of your tenancy — in full compliance with the Tenant Fees Act 2019

Full transparency on fees.

Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords and letting agents in England are only permitted to charge tenants a limited set of fees. This page sets out every charge that may apply to your tenancy with RSPG Property Group. If a fee is not listed here, it cannot lawfully be charged.

Fees at a Glance

FEE

AMOUNT

WHEN

Holding Deposit

1 weeks rent

Pre-tenancy

Security Deposit

Annual rent under £50,000

5 weeks rent

Pre-tenancy

Security Deposit

Annual rent £50,000 or over

6 weeks rent

Pre-tenancy

Change of Sharer

£50 inc. VAT

Or reasonable costs if higher

During tenancy

Lost Keys / Security Devices

Actual cost

+ £15/hr admin if applicable

During tenancy

Late Rent Payment

3% above BoE base rate

Only after 14+ days in arrears

During tenancy

Late Rent Payment

3% above BoE base rate

Only after 14+ days in arrears

During tenancy

Early Termination

Landlord's re-letting costs

Capped at rent remaining on tenancy

During tenancy

Damages

Actual cost of repair

During / end of tenancy

Pre-tenancy fees

These are the only fees that can be charged before your tenancy starts.

Holding Deposit

AMOUNT

PURPOSE

1 WEEKS RENT

To reserve the property and take it off the market while referencing and Right to Rent checks are completed. This amount will be put towards your first month's rent or security deposit once the tenancy begins.

When your holding deposit may be withheld

You or any relevant person (including any guarantor) withdraws from the tenancy
You or any relevant person fails a Right to Rent check
You provide materially significant false or misleading information
You fail to sign the tenancy agreement (and/or Deed of Guarantee) within 15 calendar days, or another deadline mutually agreed in writing

Lost Keys / Security Devices

Actual cost

+ £15/hr admin if applicable

During tenancy

Security Deposit

AMOUNT

PURPOSE

Under £50,000: 5 weeks rent

£50,000 or over: 6 weeks rent

To cover any damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy, including unpaid rent

damage beyond fair wear and tear, and any other financial obligations at the end of the tenancy.

Deposit protection: Your security deposit must be registered with a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme (DPS, MyDeposits, or TDS) within 30 days of receipt. You will receive prescribed information confirming which scheme holds your deposit and how to request its return. Please refer to your tenancy agreement for full details.

During your tenancy

The following fees may apply during the course of your tenancy. These are the only charges permitted by law in addition to your monthly rent.

Change of Sharer (Tenant's Request)

£50 inc. VAT

per replacement tenant, or any reasonable costs incurred if higher

This fee covers the costs associated with taking the landlord's instructions, referencing the new tenant, conducting Right to Rent checks, registering the deposit, and preparing and executing new legal documents

Lost Keys or Security Devices

Actual cost

+ £15/hr inc. VAT for additional admin time

You are liable for the actual cost of replacing any lost key(s) or other security device(s). If the loss requires locks to be changed, you will be charged for the locksmith, new lock(s), and replacement keys for all parties who require them (tenant, landlord, and any other relevant persons). An additional charge of £15 per hour (inc. VAT) may apply for the time spent arranging replacements.

Early Termination (Tenant's Request)

Landlord's reasonable

re-letting costs

Capped at the rent remaining on the tenancy

Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025: As tenancies are now periodic (rolling monthly) with no fixed end date, you can end your tenancy at any time by giving two months' written notice. Early termination charges will only apply if you wish to leave before your notice period has expired, or if you and your landlord agree to end the tenancy on terms that involve a re-letting fee.

Interest on Unpaid Rent

3% above the Bank of

England base rate

Interest is charged from the date rent was due until the date it is paid in full. This charge will not be applied until rent is more than 14 days in arrears. This is the maximum rate permitted under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

Avoid late payments: If you anticipate difficulty paying your rent, please contact us as early as possible. We may be able to discuss options with the landlord. Persistent arrears can lead to formal proceedings and may affect your ability to rent in the future.

Damages

Actual cost of repair

You are responsible for any damage that you (or your household members, guests, or pets) cause to the property, its fixtures, fittings, or furnishings during the tenancy. Any damage should be reported to us as soon as possible so that it can be assessed and repaired promptly. Costs may be recovered from your security deposit or invoiced directly where the deposit is insufficient.

Fair wear and tear: Normal, expected deterioration from everyday use — such as minor scuffs on walls, slight carpet wear in high-traffic areas, or fading of curtains from sunlight — is not chargeable. Charges only apply to damage that goes beyond what would reasonably be expected over the length of your tenancy.

End of Tenancy

At the end of your tenancy, a check-out inspection will be carried out and compared against the inventory prepared at the start. Any deductions from your security deposit will be clearly itemised and supported by evidence.

Common reasons for deposit deductions include:

Damage beyond fair wear and tear (e.g. stains, burns, holes, broken fittings)
Missing items listed on the original inventory
Property not returned in a clean condition (professional cleaning costs may apply)
Outstanding rent or utility bills owed at the end of the tenancy
Unreturned keys, fobs, or remote controls
Garden not maintained to a reasonable standard (where applicable)

Maximise your deposit return: To give yourself the best chance of receiving your full deposit back, carry out a thorough clean before check-out (particularly the oven, bathrooms, and carpets), return all keys and devices, remove all personal belongings, and repair any minor damage where possible. Taking dated photographs before you leave provides a useful record.

Deposit disputes: If you disagree with any proposed deductions, your deposit protection scheme offers a free, independent alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service. You do not need to go to court to challenge deductions.

Fees That Cannot Be Charged

Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, the following fees are banned for assured tenancies in England. If any landlord or agent attempts to charge you for any of the following, this is unlawful:

Viewing fees: you cannot be charged to view a property
Tenancy set-up or administration fees: there is no lawful charge for creating, renewing, or continuing a tenancy
Referencing fees: the cost of tenant referencing must be borne by the landlord or agent
Credit check fees: you cannot be charged for credit or background checks
Guarantor fees: no charge can be made for processing a guarantor
Inventory fees: the cost of preparing the inventory cannot be passed to the tenant
Check-out fees: you cannot be charged for the check-out inspection at the end of the tenancy
Renewal fees: no charge applies for renewing or extending a tenancy agreement
Professional cleaning fees: these cannot be charged upfront as a condition of the tenancy (though costs may be deducted from the deposit if the property is not returned in the condition outlined in the inventory)
Pet deposits or pet fees: landlords cannot charge a separate deposit or additional fee for keeping a pet

If you have been charged a banned fee: Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, your local council's trading standards team can investigate and impose fines of up to £5,000 for a first offence and up to £30,000 for a subsequent offence (or pursue it as a criminal offence). You may also be able to recover the payment through the county court or by requesting a deduction from any payment you owe.

Your Right

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 was introduced to protect tenants from unfair charges and to ensure transparency in the lettings process. Here is a summary of your key rights regarding fees:

You can only be charged the fees listed on this page, any additional charge is unlawful
All permitted fees must be clearly stated before you commit to a tenancy
Your holding deposit must be dealt with within calendar 15 days of receipt and returned if the landlord or agent is at fault
Your security deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days
Interest on late rent is capped at 3% above the Bank of England base rate and cannot be applied until rent is 14+ days overdue
You have the right to challenge unfair deposit deductions through the free ADR service provided by your deposit scheme
Your landlord or agent must be transparent about all costs, fees must be listed in writing before you enter into a tenancy

Where to get help: If you believe you have been charged an unlawful fee, you can contact your local council's trading standards team, Citizens Advice (0800 144 8848), or Shelter (0808 800 4444) for free guidance.

Looking ahead, the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman: Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, a new independent Ombudsman service for the private rented sector is expected to launch later in 2026. This will give tenants a formal route to resolve complaints against landlords and agents without going to court.

Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change. TAJ Real Estate cannot control the prices of external tradespeople. Reasonable measures have been taken to ensure these details are correct at the time of publication. The agent cannot be held responsible for legal changes or third-party errors. This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Please seek additional details or independent advice if you are in any doubt about the fees that apply to your tenancy.

Questions About Fees?

If you have any questions about the fees listed on this page, or if you believe you have been charged incorrectly, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We are committed to full transparency and will always explain any charges clearly.

This Hub is general guidance and does not replace your tenancy agreement or statutory rights.