Letting agent fees - Private Renters in Camden
Letting agent fees - the Tenant Fees Act 2019
The Tenant Fees Act 2019, which came into force on 1 June 2019, prohibits landlords and letting agents from charging most letting fees to tenants in the private rented sector in England. The aim is to make renting more affordable by banning fees that were previously charged. Landlords or agents who breach these rules may face financial penalties.
Before the 2019 ban, some letting agents charged tenants fees for viewing properties, setting up tenancies, check-out inspections, reference checks, and professional cleaning. Most of these fees are now banned.
What letting agents can still charge
The only payments that letting agents and landlords can request, in addition to rent, utilities, council tax, communication services, and a TV licence, are:
- Late payment of rent — when rent is more than 14 days overdue, the charge is capped at no more than 3% above the Bank of England's annual base rate for each day the amount is outstanding.
- Replacement of lost keys or security devices — the cost charged must be reasonable and evidenced.
- Changes to a tenancy requested by the tenant — for example, a change of person sharing a flat. This is capped at a reasonable cost, generally around £50.
- Compensation for damage — deductions for damage or unpaid obligations remain permissible where the tenancy agreement expressly identifies where deductions may be applied. Deductions can be taken from the tenancy deposit or recovered through the Small Claims Court.
- Early termination of the tenancy at the tenant's request — this is capped at the landlord's reasonable financial loss.
Trading Standards can issue the letting agent or landlord with a financial penalty of up to £5,000. A landlord or agent who has charged a banned fee cannot use the standard possession grounds to evict you until the fee is repaid.
Holding deposits and tenancy deposits
There are legal caps on the amounts that can be charged for holding and tenancy deposits. See our holding and tenancy deposits page for more details.
Rental bidding and rent in advance
From 1 May 2026, landlords and letting agents are prohibited from engaging in rental bidding. An agent must state a specific asking rent when advertising a property and must not:
- invite or encourage any prospective tenant to offer more than the advertised rent;
- accept an offer from any prospective tenant that exceeds the advertised rent.
Agents also cannot ask for more than one month's rent in advance for new tenancies entered into from 1 May 2026. See our webpage for more details about the restrictions on landlords charging rent in advance.
Breaching the rental bidding ban or charging excessive rent in advance is an offence enforceable by Trading Standards. Fines can reach £7,000 for a first breach, rising to £40,000 for repeated or serious offences.
How to complain
If you have been charged a banned fee, report it to the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133, Monday to Friday 9am–5pm. This helpline will give you consumer advice and pass your complaint to the relevant local Trading Standards Service.
Camden residents can also report a landlord or letting agent through the Mayor of London Report a Rogue Landlord webpage.
