Tenant Fees Act 2019
(TFA 2019)
The legislation banning most fees from private rented tenancies in England since 1 June 2019. Only specifically listed fees are permitted: rent, deposit (capped at 5 weeks), holding deposit (1 week max), late rent fees (after 14 days), default fees for breaches, change-of-tenancy fee (£50), and reasonable utility/communications charges.
The TFA 2019 dramatically simplified the cost of renting. Banned: agency fees, inventory fees, reference fees, professional cleaning fees, check-in/check-out fees, pet fees as extra charges. Trading Standards enforces the ban with fines of £5,000 for first offence and unlimited for repeat. Tenants can claim back unlawful fees. The Act applies to assured shorthold tenancies, licences to occupy, and student accommodation tenancies.