My agent is asking for a deposit and 1 months rent before seeing or signing a contract, is this okay?
Your question My agent is asking for a deposit and 1 months rent before seeing or signing a contract, is this okay? Your answer Not really, no. Under the tenant fees rules, agents are not supposed to charge you anything other than a holding deposit – which is equal to one week’s rent (see more […]
I do not have enough money for a deposit, is there another method without paying a large upfront sum
Your question I do not have enough money for a deposit, is there another method without paying a large upfront sum Your answer If you are on a low income it may be worth contacting your Local Authority as they sometimes offer ‘deposit guarantees’ although these are normally provided to landlords when they are housing […]
What is the legal maximum deposit that I have to pay?
Your question What is the legal maximum deposit that I have to pay? Your answer In most cases, for properties in England, it will be illegal for your landlord to require you to pay a deposit of more than five times your weekly rent. However, if your annual rent is over £50,000 per year, your […]
I am a lodger renting a room in my landlords home. I have paid £500 deposit but it has not been protected in a scheme – is my landlord supposed to do this?
Your question I am a lodger renting a room in my landlords home. I have paid £500 deposit but it has not been protected in a scheme – is my landlord supposed to do this? Your answer No. The tenancy deposit scheme only applies to deposits taken for assured shorthold tenancies. As you are a […]
Is it the law that landlords must take a deposit when renting property to a tenant?
Your question Is it the law that landlords must take a deposit when renting property to a tenant? Your answer No. It is up to the landlord whether they take a deposit or not. Some landlords don’t take a deposit – that is their choice. However, a landlord is entitled to make it a condition […]
How can I find out if my landlord has protected my deposit?
Your question How can I find out if my landlord has protected my deposit? Your answer You need to check with each of the three deposit schemes: Click here to check with TDS Click here to check with the DPS Click here to check with My Deposits If none of these show your deposit as […]
My landlord failed to protect my deposit, does this mean he can’t evict me?
Your question My landlord failed to protect my deposit, does this mean he can’t evict me? Your answer It means he cannot evict you under the ‘no-fault’ section 21 procedure. If he wants to do this he will need to refund the deposit money to you first. He can only offset it against rent arrears […]
The agents are requesting that I pay a deposit to secure the property. Is this the same deposit which needs to be protected within 30 days?
Your question The agents are requesting that I pay a deposit to secure the property. Is this the same deposit which needs to be protected within 30 days? Your answer No. They are asking you to pay a holding deposit. This must not be for more than 1 weeks worth of rent, and must either […]
How much is my landlord allowed to charge me for the deposit?
Your question How much is my landlord allowed to charge me for the deposit? Your answer See our Deposit Calculator below: Deposit calculator Tenancy Deposits for landlords in England and Wales are now limited to the equivalent of 5 weeks’ rent for new and renewed tenancies (or 6 weeks if the annual rent is £50,000 […]
My landlord wants to charge a large sum from cleaning and deduct it from my deposit – can he do this?
Your question My landlord wants to charge a large sum from cleaning and deduct it from my deposit – can he do this? Your answer If the property was let to you in a clean condition (which would normally be confirmed in the inventory) but was returned to the landlord in a dirty, or less […]
