Unfair Letting Agent Fees: What You Can Reclaim (Tenant Fees Act 2019)

For years, letting agents charged tenants for everything from "referencing" to "renewal admin". Since the Tenant Fees Act 2019, most of those charges are banned in England — and if you paid them, you may be able to reclaim them.

What agents can no longer charge

For tenancies in England, agents and landlords are banned from charging tenants for:

• Referencing, credit checks, and administration.
• Inventory checks and "check-out" fees.
• Renewal or "re-signing" fees.
• Professional cleaning as a blanket condition.
• Guarantor admin fees.

What they can still charge

• Rent, and a deposit (capped — usually five weeks' rent where annual rent is under £50,000).
• A holding deposit (capped at one week's rent).
• Reasonable charges for genuinely tenant-caused changes, lost keys, or late rent (within limits).

Reclaiming a banned fee

1. Write to the agent/landlord stating the fee is prohibited under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 and asking for it back.
2. If they refuse, your local Trading Standards enforces the Act and can impose penalties; you can also recover prohibited payments via the First-tier Tribunal.
3. A landlord generally cannot serve a valid section 21 eviction notice while holding an unlawfully charged fee.

A reclaim letter template

Dear [Agent/Landlord],

Re: Prohibited tenant fees — [property address]

On [date] I was charged £[amount] for [referencing / admin / renewal / etc.].
This is a prohibited payment under the Tenant Fees Act 2019. Please refund it
within 14 days.

If you do not, I will report the matter to Trading Standards and seek recovery
through the First-tier Tribunal.

Yours faithfully,
[Your name and contact details]

If you rented in England since the ban took effect and were charged admin or referencing fees, that money is very likely reclaimable — ask for it back in writing and escalate to Trading Standards if needed.