At Manor Estate Agent, we believe renting a property should be straightforward and transparent. We understand that moving home can involve significant costs, including rent, a tenancy deposit and moving expenses.
We therefore keep our tenant charges clear and transparent and only require payments that are permitted by law.
The following information applies to residential lettings in England and reflects the Tenant Fees Act 2019, as amended by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, and the legislation in force from 1 May 2026.
Permitted Payments
The following are the payments that may be required from a tenant or prospective tenant, where applicable.
Before the Tenancy Starts
Holding Deposit
A refundable holding deposit of up to one week's rent may be requested to reserve a property while the landlord or agent carries out referencing and other pre-tenancy checks.
The maximum holding deposit is calculated as one week's rent.
Where a monthly rent is quoted, the weekly rent is calculated by multiplying the monthly rent by 12 and dividing the result by 52.
A holding deposit is normally held for 15 calendar days, unless a different period is agreed with the prospective tenant in writing.
If the tenancy proceeds, the holding deposit can, with the tenant's agreement, be applied towards the first month's rent or the tenancy deposit.
If the holding deposit is retained, the tenant will be informed in writing of the reason within the required legal timescale.
Rent
Rent is payable in accordance with the tenancy agreement.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, for an assured tenancy, we cannot ask for, encourage or accept rent before the tenancy agreement has been signed by the landlord or their agent and the tenant.
Once the tenancy agreement has been signed, a maximum of one month's rent in advance may generally be requested before the tenancy begins.
After the tenancy starts, rent will normally be payable at the regular intervals specified in the tenancy agreement.
The rent charged will be the amount agreed and advertised for the property, subject to any lawful changes permitted during the tenancy.
Refundable Tenancy Deposit
A refundable tenancy deposit may be required.
For properties with an annual rent of less than £50,000, the maximum tenancy deposit is five weeks' rent.
For properties with an annual rent of £50,000 or more but not more than £100,000, the maximum tenancy deposit is six weeks' rent.
Where a tenancy deposit is taken, it will be protected in accordance with the applicable tenancy deposit protection requirements.
Any deductions from the deposit at the end of the tenancy must be supported by appropriate evidence and must relate to sums properly due under the tenancy agreement or applicable law.
During the Tenancy
Changes to the Tenancy Agreement
Where a tenant requests a change to the tenancy agreement, such as adding or removing a tenant, a charge of up to £50 may be made.
Where the reasonable costs of making the requested change exceed £50, a higher amount may be charged, provided that the amount represents the reasonable costs incurred and can be evidenced.
Late Payment of Rent
Where rent is at least 14 days overdue, interest may be charged on the outstanding rent where this is provided for in the tenancy agreement.
The maximum interest rate permitted is 3% above the Bank of England base rate.
Interest will only be charged on the rent that remains unpaid and for the period during which it remains overdue.
Lost Keys, Security Devices and Access Fobs
A tenant may be required to pay the reasonable cost of replacing a lost key, security device or access fob where this is permitted under the tenancy agreement.
Any amount charged will be based on the reasonable cost of the replacement and appropriate evidence of the cost may be provided.
Unpaid Rent
Tenants remain responsible for paying rent due under their tenancy agreement.
Any unpaid rent may be recovered in accordance with the tenancy agreement and applicable law.
Ending a Tenancy Without Giving the Required Notice
Under the current tenancy rules, tenants generally need to give the required notice to end an assured periodic tenancy.
Where a tenant gives less than the required notice, a payment may be required to cover the rent that would otherwise have been payable during the applicable notice period.
For a tenant who gives insufficient notice, the payment cannot exceed the rent that would have been due during the minimum notice period.
The statutory minimum notice period is generally two months, subject to the applicable legislation and the circumstances of the tenancy.
Tenants should contact Manor Estate Agent as soon as possible if they wish to leave their property so that the correct notice requirements can be explained.
Utilities and Other Bills
Where applicable, tenants may be responsible for paying utilities and other services connected with the property, including:
- Gas
- Electricity
- Water and sewerage
- Broadband and other communication services
- Council Tax
- Television licence
The tenancy agreement will explain which bills are the tenant's responsibility and which, if any, are included within the rent.
Where utility or communication services are the tenant's responsibility, the tenant must arrange and pay for those services as required under the tenancy agreement.
Where council tax is not included in the rent, the tenant will normally be responsible for paying the relevant local authority directly.
Where a television licence is required, the tenant will normally be responsible for obtaining and paying for the licence directly.
We will not require a tenant to pay a separate charge to Manor Estate Agent for council tax or a television licence where the law requires those payments to be made directly to the relevant authority or provider.
Other Payments and Prohibited Fees
Manor Estate Agent will not require tenants to make payments that are prohibited by the Tenant Fees Act 2019 or other applicable legislation.
Examples of prohibited payments include:
- Referencing fees
- Administration or tenancy set-up fees
- Property viewing fees
- Inventory fees charged to the tenant as a condition of the tenancy
- Compulsory professional cleaning fees
- Compulsory insurance
- Compulsory third-party services
- Compulsory deposit replacement products
Tenants may choose to purchase services such as contents insurance or a deposit replacement product where available, but we will not require a tenant to purchase such a service as a condition of renting a property where this is prohibited by law.
Referencing
Manor Estate Agent carries out referencing and Right to Rent checks as part of the tenancy application process.
Referencing may include:
Affordability
Our referencing procedure may include an affordability assessment based on guaranteed gross annual income, pension income, savings or a combination of these.
Commission, bonuses, overtime, zero-hour contracts, agency or temporary work and other income that is not guaranteed may not be included in the affordability calculation, depending on the referencing provider's criteria.
Rental History
Where applicable, we may seek a reference from your previous landlord or letting agent.
This may include checking whether rent has been paid on time and in full and whether there are any relevant issues arising from your previous tenancy.
Credit History
A credit check may be carried out as part of the referencing process.
This may identify your credit history and any relevant adverse credit information.
Applicants should declare any relevant information requested as part of the referencing process.
Students, Benefits, Guarantors and Affordability
If an applicant does not meet the referencing provider's affordability criteria, is a student, receives benefits, has limited income or has adverse credit history, additional information or a suitable guarantor may be requested where appropriate.
Any affordability or guarantor requirements will be considered in accordance with applicable law and our referencing criteria.
Where a guarantor is required, the guarantor must meet the relevant referencing requirements.
Right to Rent
Landlords and letting agents are required to carry out Right to Rent checks on applicable adult occupiers before the tenancy begins.
All applicants and adult occupiers will be required to provide the necessary documents or information to complete the required checks.
End of Tenancy
There is no charge from Manor Estate Agent for providing an end-of-tenancy reference.
We do not charge tenants a compulsory end-of-tenancy administration fee.
Tenants are expected to return the property in accordance with the terms of their tenancy agreement, allowing for fair wear and tear.
Where a tenant has caused damage, left the property requiring additional cleaning or otherwise breached the tenancy agreement, the landlord may seek to recover reasonable losses or costs in accordance with the tenancy agreement and applicable law.
Any proposed tenancy deposit deductions should be supported by appropriate evidence.
Renters’ Rights Act 2025
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduced significant changes to the private rented sector in England from 1 May 2026.
Among other changes, the legislation introduced new rules concerning assured periodic tenancies, rent in advance, tenancy notices and permitted tenant payments.
For assured tenancies:
- Rent cannot be requested, encouraged or accepted before the tenancy agreement has been signed.
- After the tenancy agreement has been signed, a maximum of one month's rent in advance may generally be requested before the tenancy starts.
- Tenants generally have a statutory minimum notice period of two months when ending an assured periodic tenancy.
- Certain payments that were previously permitted have been amended by the new legislation.
Manor Estate Agent will operate its lettings services and tenant charges in accordance with the legislation applicable at the time.
For the latest Government information, tenants should refer to the official GOV.UK guidance on tenant fees and the Renters’ Rights Act.
Tenant Protection
Manor Estate Agent's Client Money Protection is provided by Propertymark under membership number CMP – C0139645.
Manor Estate Agent is also a member of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) Redress Scheme, membership number TPO – T10719, and is subject to its applicable Codes of Practice and redress scheme.
These memberships provide additional protection and reassurance to landlords and tenants who use our services.
Important Information
This page is intended to provide a clear summary of the payments that may apply when renting a property through Manor Estate Agent.
The exact payments applicable to a particular tenancy will depend on the property, tenancy agreement and circumstances of the tenant.
Nothing on this page permits a payment that is prohibited by law. Where legislation changes, the applicable legislation will take precedence over any information contained on this page.
If you have any questions regarding tenant fees, deposits, rent or any other aspect of renting a property through Manor Estate Agent, please contact us before making an application.
Government Guidance
For the latest official information regarding permitted tenant fees and payments, please refer to the Government's current guidance on the Tenant Fees Act 2019, as amended by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
