Tenancy deposit calculator (England)
Enter your monthly rent to see the most a landlord or agent can ask for as a deposit and as a holding deposit.
- Rent per week
- £276.92
- Annual rent
- £14,400
- Maximum deposit (5 weeks)
- £1,384.62
- Maximum holding deposit (1 week)
- £276.92
Annual rent is under £50,000, so the cap is five weeks’ rent.
The deposit cap in England
Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, a tenancy deposit in England is capped at five weeks’ rent when the annual rent is under £50,000, and six weeks’ rent when the annual rent is £50,000 or more.
Weekly rent is the annual rent divided by 52. For £1,200 a month, annual rent is £14,400, weekly rent is £276.92 and the maximum deposit is £1,384.62.
Holding deposits
A holding deposit reserves a property while checks are carried out. It cannot be more than one week’s rent. If you go ahead with the tenancy it is normally put towards your first rent or deposit.
A landlord must normally decide within 15 days, unless you agree a different deadline in writing, and has to give a reason if they keep any of the money.
Protecting your deposit
Your landlord must protect the deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it and give you the details in writing. See our guide to your rights as a tenant for what to do if this is not done.
The rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This calculator covers private tenancies in England only.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum deposit a landlord can charge in England?
Five weeks’ rent if the annual rent is below £50,000, or six weeks’ rent if the annual rent is £50,000 or more. Holding deposits are limited to one week’s rent.
Can a landlord ask for more than five weeks?
Not as a tenancy deposit in England for standard private lets, unless the annual rent is £50,000 or more, when the cap is six weeks. Asking for more can be challenged with the local council’s trading standards.
Does the Renters’ Rights Act change the deposit cap?
No. The deposit cap stays the same, but the Act limits how much rent can be requested in advance and bans bidding above the advertised rent.
Is the deposit cap the same in Scotland and Wales?
No. Scotland and Wales have their own rules and caps. Check the official guidance for the country where the property is.
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Figures are indicative averages for 2026/27, rounded for planning, and are for information only. They are not financial, legal or housing advice. See our methodology for how the figures are produced. Last reviewed October 2026.