Deposit Cap Calculator
Calculate the maximum tenancy deposit and holding deposit you can legally take under the Tenant Fees Act 2019. Enter the rent and get the 5 or 6 week cap instantly. Free, no signup.
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How much deposit can you legally take?
In England the tenancy deposit is capped by Schedule 1 to the Tenant Fees Act 2019: 5 weeks' rent where the annual rent is under £50,000, and 6 weeks' rent where the annual rent is £50,000 or more. The holding deposit is capped at 1 week's rent. Enter the monthly or annual rent above and the calculator applies the statutory formula, one week's rent is the annual rent divided by 52, and shows the maximum you can take.
The statutory formula
Weekly rent = annual rent / 52
Maximum deposit = weekly rent x 5 (annual rent under £50,000) or x 6 (£50,000 or more)
Example: rent of £1,200 per month is £14,400 a year. £14,400 / 52 = £276.92 a week, so the maximum deposit is £276.92 x 5 = £1,384.62 and the maximum holding deposit is £276.92. The Act uses the rent payable when the deposit is taken, per Schedule 1 to the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
The cap is only half the job
Taking a lawful amount does not end your duties. Under the Housing Act 2004 the deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt, and the prescribed information served in the same window. Miss either deadline and you face a penalty of one to three times the deposit and can lose the right to possession until the breach is fixed. The tenancy deposit protection guide covers the schemes, the prescribed information, and end-of-tenancy deductions step by step.
Prohibited payments
Any amount above the cap is a prohibited payment under the Tenant Fees Act 2019. You must return the excess, and a breach carries a fine of up to £5,000 per incident. The same Act banned most other upfront fees, so check anything you charge beyond rent and the capped deposits before taking it.
This calculator covers assured shorthold and assured tenancies in England. Wales and Scotland have separate regimes with their own caps and deadlines. Practical information, not legal advice; figures reflect the Tenant Fees Act 2019 as in force in July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum deposit a landlord can take in England?
Under Schedule 1 to the Tenant Fees Act 2019, the tenancy deposit is capped at 5 weeks' rent where the annual rent is less than £50,000, and 6 weeks' rent where the annual rent is £50,000 or more. One week's rent is the annual rent divided by 52. Anything above the cap is a prohibited payment.
How do I calculate 5 weeks' rent?
Multiply the monthly rent by 12 to get the annual rent, divide by 52 to get one week's rent, then multiply by 5. For example, £1,200 per month is £14,400 a year, £276.92 a week, so the maximum deposit is £1,384.62. The calculator above does this for you.
What is the maximum holding deposit?
One week's rent, under Schedule 1 to the Tenant Fees Act 2019. A holding deposit reserves the property before signing and must be repaid or credited against the first month's rent or the security deposit once the tenancy starts.
What happens if I take more than the deposit cap?
The excess is a prohibited payment under the Tenant Fees Act 2019. You must return it, and a breach carries a fine of up to £5,000 per incident. Taking a prohibited payment can also block a possession claim until it is repaid.
Do I still have to protect the deposit?
Yes. The cap and protection are separate duties. Every deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt and the prescribed information served in the same window, under the Housing Act 2004. Failure risks a penalty of one to three times the deposit and can invalidate a possession claim.