Tenancy Deposit Cap Calculator
The maximum deposit and holding deposit you may lawfully take.
Annual rent
£13,200
Maximum deposit
£1,269
Five weeks' rent (annual rent under £50,000).
Maximum holding deposit
£254
One week's rent, and it must be refunded or applied to the first rent unless the tenant withdraws or fails right to rent.
Deposit as weeks of rent
5.0 weeks
What this calculator tells you
Deposit caps are strict liability. Take a penny more than the statutory maximum and the excess is a prohibited payment: it must be repaid, you can face a financial penalty, and until it is returned you cannot serve a valid no-fault notice. The cap is set by the Tenant Fees Act in England and the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) Act in Wales, and the Renters' Rights Act 2025 keeps the same limits while removing Section 21.
How it works
- 1Work out the annual rent: monthly rent × 12.
- 2Convert to a weekly figure: annual rent ÷ 52.
- 3England and Wales: five weeks' rent where annual rent is under £50,000, six weeks where it is £50,000 or more.
- 4Scotland: no more than two months' rent, and no holding deposits or premiums at all.
- 5A holding deposit in England and Wales may not exceed one week's rent and must be dealt with within 15 days.
Worked example
Rent of £1,100 per month in England
- Annual rent: £13,200 — under the £50,000 threshold.
- Weekly rent: £13,200 ÷ 52 = £253.85.
- Maximum deposit: £253.85 × 5 = £1,269.23.
- Maximum holding deposit: £253.85.
Rounding up to £1,300 would be unlawful. Round down, never up — and protect the deposit in an approved scheme within 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I take too large a deposit?
The excess is a prohibited payment. The tenant can apply to the First-tier Tribunal for its return, the council can impose a financial penalty of up to £5,000 for a first offence, and no valid no-fault possession notice can be served while the money is held.
Can I take a larger deposit for a tenant with a pet?
No. There is no pet exemption from the cap. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 tenants may request to keep a pet and the landlord may not unreasonably refuse — the intended safeguard is pet insurance rather than a bigger deposit.
When must the deposit be protected?
Within 30 days of receipt, in one of the government-approved schemes, and the prescribed information must be served on the tenant within the same window.
Related content
These calculators give general estimates for UK private landlords and letting agents, not legal, tax or financial advice. Figures depend on your circumstances and on the rules in your part of the UK — check the detail or take advice before acting.