Tenancy deposit cap calculator
Check whether the deposit you are being asked for is within the legal limit, and what the holding deposit can be.
How this is calculated
A week's rent is the annual rent divided by 52.
The tenancy deposit can be no more than five weeks' rent where the annual rent is under £50,000, and six weeks' rent where it is £50,000 or more.
A holding deposit can be no more than one week's rent.
These are the limits set by the Tenant Fees Act 2019 for England.
Rates used · 2026/27
| Annual rent under £50,000 | 5 weeks' rent |
| Annual rent £50,000 or more | 6 weeks' rent |
| Holding deposit | 1 week's rent |
| Protection deadline | 30 days, in an approved scheme |
Last checked July 2026. Source: HMRC and gov.uk.
Worked example
At £1,500 a month the annual rent is £18,000, so a week's rent is £346.15 and the deposit can be at most five weeks, £1,730.77. A £1,800 deposit is £69.23 over the cap. A holding deposit can be at most £346.15.
Common questions
What if my landlord asks for too much?
The excess is a prohibited payment and must be refunded. You can raise it with the landlord or agent, and Trading Standards enforces the rules.
Does my deposit have to be protected?
Yes. The landlord must put it in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days and give you the details.
Can a landlord charge other fees?
Very few. Under the Tenant Fees Act most fees are banned, apart from rent, the capped deposits, and a few set charges such as for lost keys or ending the tenancy early.
Does this apply in Scotland or Wales?
No. Scotland and Wales have their own deposit rules.