Prohibited payment
A prohibited payment is any charge to a tenant or guarantor that is banned under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, other than the limited permitted payments set out in the Act.
4 min read · Updated 2 August 2026
Overview
A prohibited payment is any charge to a tenant or guarantor that is banned under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, other than the limited permitted payments set out in the Act.
Examples
Referencing fees, inventory check-out fees charged to tenants, and renewal administration fees are all prohibited.
Permitted exceptions
Rent, a capped deposit, a capped holding deposit and specific default charges remain permitted.
Penalties
Charging a prohibited payment can result in a fine and prevents a landlord serving a valid Section 21 notice until repaid.
This wiki entry is general information for UK landlords and letting agents, not legal advice. Rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — check your local requirements or take advice before acting.