The Hidden Costs British Renters Are Still Paying (And What You Can Actually Do About It)

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Renting Costs More Than Your Monthly Rent

Most renters budget for their rent, their deposit and maybe a bit extra for bills. But there’s a whole layer of costs that catch people out — and some of them you might actually be able to get back. With the new Renters’ Rights Act now in force as of May 2026, it’s worth knowing exactly what you should and shouldn’t be paying.

Holding Deposits

A holding deposit reserves a property while referencing is carried out. The legal cap is one week’s rent, and your landlord or agent must return it within 15 calendar days if you’re not taken on — unless you gave false information, failed right-to-rent checks or pulled out yourself. If a landlord is dragging their heels on returning it without a clear reason, you’re entitled to chase it formally.

Administration and Referencing Fees

Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, most upfront fees from letting agents are banned. You shouldn’t be paying for referencing, credit checks, admin or “processing” fees. If a letting agent has charged you any of these since June 2019, that’s a prohibited payment — and you can report it to your local council’s trading standards team. Some tenants have successfully reclaimed these charges, so it’s worth checking old tenancy paperwork if you’ve moved in the last few years.

Cleaning Charges at the End of Your Tenancy

This is one of the most common deposit deductions — and one of the most disputed. Landlords can only charge for cleaning that returns the property to the condition it was in at the start of your tenancy, accounting for fair wear and tear. They can’t charge for professional cleaning as a matter of course if the property was handed over in a basic state. Always do a thorough check-in inventory with photos, because that’s your evidence if there’s a dispute at the end.

Inflated Deposit Deductions

Your deposit must be held in a government-approved scheme — either the DPS, MyDeposits or the TDS. If your landlord tries to make deductions you don’t agree with, you can raise a dispute through the scheme for free and an adjudicator will decide. You don’t need a solicitor. You just need evidence — photos, emails, your inventory, any maintenance requests you made in writing. The system exists specifically to protect you, so use it.

Being Asked for More Than One Month’s Rent Upfront

Under the new Renters’ Rights Act, landlords can now only ask for one month’s rent at a time, and they can’t take any rent before your tenancy agreement is signed. If you were asked for more than this on a tenancy that started after 1 May 2026, that’s a prohibited payment. Report it to your local council — they have the power to fine landlords and agents for breaking these rules.

Repairs You Shouldn’t Be Paying For

Landlords are legally responsible for the structure of the property, heating, hot water, gas and electrical systems. If something breaks through normal use, that’s on them — not you. If a landlord tries to charge you for a boiler repair or a leaking roof, or simply ignores a repair request, you can report them to your local council’s environmental health team. Keep every repair request in writing, even if you’ve also spoken to them in person.

How to Actually Get Your Money Back

If you think you’ve been overcharged or had an illegal fee taken from you, your first step is always to write to your landlord or agent directly and ask for a refund, citing the relevant legislation. If they don’t respond or refuse, you can escalate to your local council’s trading standards or housing team. For deposit disputes, go through your deposit protection scheme. You can also use the First Tier Tribunal for certain rent-related issues. It’s free, and you don’t need legal representation.