Tenancy deposit cap calculator
Check the most a landlord or agent can ask for as a deposit, based on the rent and where the home is.
Maximum deposit
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Enter the rent.
- Last checked 25 October 2026
- Expert review pending
- How we calculate
How the cap is worked out
| Nation | Cap | Law |
|---|---|---|
| England | 5 weeks’ rent (annual rent under £50,000) or 6 weeks’ rent | Tenant Fees Act 2019 |
| Scotland | 2 months’ rent | Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 |
| Northern Ireland | 1 month’s rent | Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 |
| Wales | No set cap | Deposit must still be protected |
Weekly rent = monthly rent × 12 ÷ 52. The cap is shown rounded down to the penny, because it is a maximum.
Worked example
£1,250 a month in Manchester
Annual rent is £15,000, so the cap is five weeks. A week’s rent is £1,250 × 12 ÷ 52 = £288.46. The maximum deposit is £1,442.30 and the maximum holding deposit is £288.46. An agent asking for £1,500 would be over the cap by £57.70.
Questions people ask
What is the maximum deposit a landlord can take?
In England, five weeks’ rent if the annual rent is under £50,000, or six weeks’ rent if it is £50,000 or more. In Scotland, two months’ rent. In Northern Ireland, one month’s rent. Wales has no set cap, but the deposit must still be protected.
How is a week’s rent worked out?
Multiply the monthly rent by 12 and divide by 52. Don’t divide the monthly rent by four, as that gives a higher figure than the law allows.
What about a holding deposit?
In England a holding deposit to reserve a home is capped at one week’s rent. The landlord has 15 days to agree the tenancy unless you both agree a different deadline in writing. Once the tenancy is signed, or if the landlord pulls out, the holding deposit must be repaid within 7 days, or put towards the deposit or first rent if you agree.
What if my landlord took too much?
In England, a deposit over the cap is a prohibited payment under the Tenant Fees Act 2019. You can ask for the excess back and complain to Trading Standards, and the landlord may be fined.
Does my deposit have to be protected?
Yes, in every UK nation. The landlord must put it in a government-backed tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days and give you the prescribed information. Check your scheme’s website with your tenancy details.