Tenant Fees
Permitted payments under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 and the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Everything Tessa can lawfully charge a tenant — in full, with the reasoning for each.
All fees below comply with the Tenant Fees Act 2019. Letting agents and landlords in England are prohibited from charging tenants any fee not listed in that Act. If you are ever asked for a payment not shown here, please contact Tessa or report it to Trading Standards.
Assured Periodic Tenancies
From 1 May 2026, all new residential tenancies in England are assured periodic tenancies (APTs) under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. The following payments are permitted under the Tenant Fees Act 2019:
| Payment | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | As agreed | Payable monthly as set out in your tenancy agreement. You cannot be asked to pay rent in advance beyond what your agreement requires, or before your tenancy has started. |
| Holding deposit | 1 week's rent | Paid to reserve a property while referencing takes place. Returned or credited against your first payment on completion. May be retained if you withdraw, fail a Right to Rent check, provide false information, or miss the signing deadline (usually 15 calendar days). |
| Tenancy deposit | Up to 5 weeks' rent (6 weeks if annual rent ≥ £50,000) | Protected in a government-approved Tenancy Deposit Protection scheme within 30 calendar days of receipt. Held against damage, unpaid rent, or other losses. Cannot be used to pay rent during the tenancy. |
| Late rent interest | 3% above Bank of England base rate | Only charged when rent is more than 14 days in arrears. Applied from the date the rent was due until it is paid in full. |
| Lost keys / security devices | Actual cost only | You are liable for the reasonable cost of replacing lost keys or security devices. If the loss requires a lock change, the costs of a locksmith, new lock, and replacement keys for all parties will be charged to you. |
| Variation of contract (at your request) | £50 inc. VAT | To cover the cost of taking the landlord's instructions and preparing revised legal documentation. Only charged where you have requested a change to the agreed tenancy terms. |
| Change of sharer (at your request) | £50 inc. VAT, or reasonable costs if higher | Covers referencing the replacement tenant, Right to Rent checks, updating the deposit registration, and preparing revised documentation. |
No early termination charges apply for a proper notice to quit. Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, tenants may end a periodic tenancy at any time by giving two months’ written notice. Giving proper notice is not an early termination — no re-letting fee or rent shortfall charges apply in those circumstances. If you request to leave before your notice period is up and Tessa agrees to release you early, the landlord’s reasonable re-letting costs may apply; these will be made clear in writing before you agree.
Non-Housing Act Tenancies
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 does not apply to tenancies outside the Housing Act 1988 — for example, company lets or tenancies where the annual rent exceeds £100,000. The following fees apply to those tenancies:
| Fee | Amount (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Tenancy agreement fee | £240 |
| Reference fee | £60 per applicant or guarantor |
| Renewal fee | £120 |
| Check-out fee | £120 |
Other payments you may be responsible for
These are not fees charged by Tessa Lang Property — they are costs you pay directly to third-party suppliers as part of occupying the property:
| Payment | Notes |
|---|---|
| Gas & electricity | Transferred into your name at the start of your tenancy. |
| Water | Transferred into your name at the start of your tenancy. |
| Broadband / telephone | Arranged directly with your chosen provider. |
| Cable / satellite TV | Installation and subscription, where applicable. |
| TV Licence | Required if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer. |
| Council Tax | Payable to the local authority. Some properties may be exempt — check with the council. |
What you cannot be charged
Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, the following are prohibited — any agent or landlord who attempts to charge these is breaking the law:
- Administration or application fees
- Referencing fees (charged to tenants)
- Credit check fees
- Tenancy setup or documentation fees
- Check-in or check-out fees (for Housing Act tenancies)
- Renewal fees (for Housing Act tenancies)
- Fees for professional cleaning (unless agreed in advance as a contractual obligation)
- Fees above the caps set out above
This page reflects permitted payments under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 and the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, as in force from 1 May 2026. Tessa Lang Property Ltd is a member of Propertymark and holds Client Money Protection insurance. The redress scheme is the Property Redress Scheme (PRS001836). This page does not constitute legal advice. Last updated: May 2026.
