how to calculate five weeks rent maximum tenancy deposit

Maximum Tenancy Deposit: How to Calculate Five Weeks’ Rent


If you’re unsure how to work out the maximum tenancy deposit you can request from your new tenants, as per the Tenant Fees Act 2019, we have just the right tool for you.

Starting from June 1, 2019, landlords can only collect a tenancy deposit of up to five weeks’ rent. This increases to six weeks for properties whose rent exceeds £50,000 per year.

In addition, there are new rules regarding holding deposits, limiting landlords to accepting a maximum of one week’s rent as a holding deposit.

To make things simpler for you, we’ve created a handy calculator that quickly shows you the maximum tenancy deposit you can collect according to the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

  1. Deposit calculator
  2. New tenancy deposit rules
  3. How much is five weeks’ rent?
  4. Do I need to register the deposit differently after 1 June 2019?

More than a million properties have been let on OpenRent – why not yours too?

Add Listing Now

Simply enter your monthly rent amount for the property you’re leasing, and we’ll instantly show you the maximum security deposit you can charge.

Our calculator automatically adjusts the cap to six weeks’ rent if your annual rent surpasses £50,000, in line with the current regulations.

In both cases, the calculator also shows you the maximum holding deposit, which is equal to one week’s rent.

Deposit Calculator

Enter your property’s monthly rental price. The calculator will show the maximum tenancy deposit that can be placed for the tenancy. Check out Rent Now to have all your landlord obligations handled automatically!


Enter Monthly Rent

£

Max Tenancy Deposit:

£0

Max Holding Deposit:

£0

New tenancy deposit rules

The Tenant Fees Act now limits landlords to a maximum deposit of five weeks' rent. This seemingly unusual number of weeks emerged as a compromise during discussions in the House of Lords, falling between the four and six-week proposals.

The new holding deposit cap of one week's rent will be much less than some landlords are used to collecting – but we still think that you will be adequately protected.

For example, a property that lets at £1,500 per month will have a maximum holding deposit of £346, which is still a considerable sum for a tenant to forfeit.

We rarely come across cases where holding deposits near this size are forfeited.


You might also be interested in...


How much is five weeks’ rent?

To calculate five weeks' worth of rent, follow these steps:

  1. Multiply your monthly rent by 12 to determine the annual rent
  2. Divide the annual rent by 52 to find the weekly rent
  3. Finally, multiply the weekly rent by 5 to get five weeks' worth of rent

Alternatively, for a quick shortcut, you can simply multiply your monthly rent by 1.15385!

Or for an even simpler solution, just put your monthly rent into the calculator provided above.

Feel in control of your tenancies with our all-inclusive tenancy creation and management tool.

Explore Rent Now

Do I need to register the deposit differently after 1 June 2019?

No, the process remains the same, meaning you must still register the deposit as you did before.

You will need to protect the deposit within an accredited deposit protection scheme and serve the tenants with the prescribed information within 30 days of receiving the money.

Keep in mind that not registering the deposit correctly can lead to some pretty hefty consequences, like being unable to serve an eviction notice or even facing fines of up to three times the total deposit amount.


Notable Replies

  1. If you want to “round off” you must round down and not up. If you round up you will be breaking the law as you are charging more than 5 weeks rent (even if it is by 1p).

  2. Avatar for Sam Sam says:

    Really good point, Clive!

  3. Avatar for Sam Sam says:

    We’ve updated the tool to make sure it always rounds down. Cheers Clive!

  4. If we collected six weeks under the old rules, do we need to return one week now?

  5. Avatar for Sam Sam says:

    Yes if you renew before 1st June 2020. From 1st June 2020, you’d need to make sure any deposits were a maximum of 5 weeks’ rent.

Continue the discussion at community.openrent.co.uk

28 more replies

Participants

Avatar for Sam Avatar for Clive Avatar for Susan2 Avatar for Shaun Avatar for Gbemisola Avatar for Rob7 Avatar for Colin3 Avatar for Scott4 Avatar for Nick7 Avatar for LorraineN Avatar for Dinesh


This article is not intended to form legal or investment advice. Investments in property are not guaranteed and can decrease in value as well as increase.

picture of a small keyring in the shape of a house on a table
Tenancy Setup
1 August 2022

Holding Deposit, Tenancy Deposit, Rental Fees: Everything You Need to Know

How security deposits work and how to protect a tenancy deposit legally
Law & Regulation
5 September 2022

Deposit Protection Schemes: A Guide to Custodial & Insured Security Deposits

Finding Tenants
18 April 2017

Are You Putting off Good Tenants with High Upfront Costs?