Tenant Fees Act 2019

You can find out more about the act itself on Gov.uk – Tenant Fees Act 2019.

The act will:

  • put a stop to the unfair practice of landlords and letting agents charging private tenants unnecessary, expensive fees in addition to requiring them to pay a deposit and rent upfront
  • ban unfair lettings fees and cap tenancy deposits at 5 weeks’ rent
  • cap a refundable holding deposit (to reserve accommodation) at no more than one week’s rent.

The act places a duty on Trading Standards authorities and district councils to enforce the ban. In Reading this duty will fall to the Private Sector Housing Team.

Landlords and letting agents who breach the ban by making a request for a prohibited payment will be liable to pay a financial penalty of up to £5,000 for an initial breach. They will be liable to pay fines of up to £30,000 for further breaches or face criminal prosecution.

For more information, please contact the Private Sector Housing Team –  hmo@reading.gov.uk or 0118 937 2151

Last updated on 27/02/2020