From 1 June 2019 tenant fees are banned for all new tenancy agreements.
From 31 May 2020 this will apply to ALL tenancy agreements, including those in force before 1 June 2019.
The only payments letting agents can charge in addition to the rent, utilities, council tax, communication services and TV licence are:
a) a refundable tenancy deposit capped at no more than five weeks’ rent where the annual
rent is less than £50,000, or six weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is £50,000 or above
b) a refundable holding deposit (to reserve a property) capped at no more than one week’s rent
c) payments to change the tenancy when requested by the tenant, capped at £50, or reasonable costs
d) payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant
e) A default fee for late payment of rent and replacement of a lost key/security device, where required under a tenancy agreement
If a letting agent is charging fees when they shouldn't, please contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline to report them to Trading Standards.