What's the most deposit you can take?
There's a legal cap on tenancy deposits, and it's caught a lot of landlords out — take a penny too much and a Section 21 can be invalid. Enter the rent and the nation and see the maximum deposit, plus the holding-deposit limit. Free, no sign-up.
A guide to the statutory caps, not legal advice. Always confirm the current rules for your nation before taking or paying a deposit. Nothing you type here leaves your browser.
Five weeks, six weeks, or a month or two.
England — Tenant Fees Act 2019. The deposit is capped at five weeks' rent where the annual rent is under £50,000, and six weeks' rent where the annual rent is £50,000 or more. A week's rent is the annual rent divided by 52. Charge more and the excess is a prohibited payment: it has to be repaid, and a Section 21 notice can't be served until it is.
Wales — Renting Homes (Fees etc.) Act 2019. The same five-week / six-week structure applies, on the same £50,000 annual-rent threshold.
Scotland. A tenancy deposit can't be more than two months' rent, and it must be lodged with an approved scheme within 30 working days. Charging a premium or holding fee on top is not allowed.
Northern Ireland — Private Tenancies Act (NI) 2022. Deposits are capped at one month's rent for tenancies granted on or after 1 April 2023, and must be protected within a set period.
Holding deposits (England & Wales). You can take a holding deposit to reserve a property while you reference a tenant, but it's capped at one week's rent and must be put towards the rent or deposit, or refunded, within set time limits.
Get the deposit right, then never lose track of it.
Stead's landlord tools keep your deposit dates, protection certificates, prescribed information and Section 21 paperwork together — so the cap you got right at the start still holds up when it matters.