Renters Rights Act - Upfront Payments

Q: Can Landlords Take Rent in Advance Before a Tenancy Is Agreed?

No. Rent cannot be requested, encouraged or accepted before the tenancy agreement is in place.

Q: What Happens If Rent Is Taken Before the Tenancy Is Agreed?

This would breach the rules and may mean the payment must be returned, alongside potential financial penalties.

Q: How Much Rent Can Be Taken Before the Tenant Moves In?

Once the tenancy is agreed, landlords can request up to one month’s rent, or up to 28 days where the rental period is shorter.

Q: Can Landlords Require More Than One Month’s Rent Upfront?

No. Any clause requiring more than one month’s rent in advance is not enforceable.

Q: Can Tenants Choose to Pay More Rent in Advance?

Yes, but only voluntarily. It cannot be required or encouraged by the landlord or agent.

Q: Can Tenants Choose to Pay More Rent in Advance?

Yes, but only voluntarily. It cannot be required or encouraged by the landlord or agen

Q: How Must Rent Be Paid During the Tenancy?

Rent can only be required in line with the rental period, which cannot exceed one month.

Q: Do These Rules Apply to Existing Tenancies?

No. These rules apply only to tenancies entered into on or after 1 May 2026.

Q: What Is the Main Impact for Landlords?

Landlords cannot rely on large upfront rent payments, making thorough tenant selection and affordability checks even more important.

Q: How Can Landlords Reduce Risk?

Carry out thorough referencing and affordability checks, get advice from a management agent, and make sure tenants have a reliable payment history or a suitable guarantor.

Landlords will not be able to request, accept, or encourage any rent payments before a tenancy agreement is formally agreed.
Once the tenancy is agreed, only one month’s rent (or up to 28 days) can be requested before the tenant moves in.
Rent cannot be required in advance beyond this, and any clauses attempting to do so will not be enforceable.
During the tenancy, rent can only be required in line with the rental period, which cannot exceed one month.
These changes apply only to tenancies entered into on or after 1 May 2026.
For managed tenancies, we will ensure all processes are handled in line with these requirements.

Can Landlords Take Rent in Advance Before a Tenancy Is Agreed?

What Happens If Rent Is Taken Before the Tenancy Is Agreed?

How Much Rent Can Be Taken Before the Tenant Moves In?

Can Landlords Require More Than One Month’s Rent Upfront?

Can Tenants Choose to Pay More Rent in Advance?

How Must Rent Be Paid During the Tenancy?

Do These Rules Apply to Existing Tenancies?

What Is the Main Impact for Landlords?

How Can Landlords Reduce Risk?

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