Tenant fees and permitted payments

Before the tenancy starts

Holding deposit — capped at one week's rent

Paid to reserve a property while referencing takes place, and set against your first month's rent or your tenancy deposit once the tenancy is agreed.

It is refunded if we withdraw, if you are not offered the tenancy for a reason outside your control, or if landlord and tenant fail to reach agreement before the deadline. We may retain it if you provide false or misleading information that materially affects the letting decision, fail a Right to Rent check, withdraw, or fail to take reasonable steps to enter the tenancy.

The deadline for agreement is 15 calendar days from receipt unless we agree another date with you in writing. If we retain a holding deposit we will tell you why in writing within 7 days of deciding.

Tenancy deposit — capped at five weeks' rent

Five weeks' rent where the total annual rent is under £50,000; six weeks' where it is £50,000 or more. The deposit is protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt and the prescribed information is served on you.

Deductions may only be made for rent arrears, damage beyond fair wear and tear, missing items, or cleaning required to return the property to its check-in standard. See our guide to fair wear and tear.

First month's rent

Payable in advance, before the tenancy begins.

During the tenancy

• Rent — as stated in your tenancy agreement.
• Late rent interest — up to 3% above the Bank of England base rate, on rent more than 14 days overdue, from the date it was due.
• Lost key or security device — reasonable costs, evidenced in writing.
• Variation, assignment or change of sharer at your request — £50 including VAT, or reasonable costs if higher.
• Early termination at your request — not more than the rent outstanding for the remainder of the term, plus the landlord's reasonable re-letting costs.
• Utilities, communications, TV licence and council tax — as billed, where your agreement makes you responsible.

Any charge for lost keys or a variation will be evidenced in writing before it is payable, and we will never charge more than the costs actually incurred.

If you think you have been charged a prohibited fee

Tell us first — email hello@kerrigans.co.uk — and we will refund any prohibited payment. If it is not resolved you can raise it with Doncaster Council's Trading Standards service, or through our complaints procedure.

Kerrigans Property Ltd holds Client Money Protection and is a member of The Property Ombudsman. Landlords: our charges are on the landlord fees page.