The Government has issued new guidance on rent in advance under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. These rules took effect from 1 May 2026 and significantly restrict when landlords and agents can request or accept upfront rent payments from their tenants.
Key points members need to know:
- You cannot ask for or accept any rent before the tenancy agreement has been signed by all parties.
- For tenants paying monthly, you can only request up to one month’s rent in advance during the period between signing the agreement and the tenancy start date.
- Once the tenancy has started, you cannot request rent before the agreed due date.
- Clauses requiring large lump-sum upfront payments (such as 6 or 12 months’ rent) in new tenancy agreements are no longer enforceable in most cases.
- Breaches may result in financial penalties issued by local authorities.
The rules apply to new assured periodic tenancies from 1 May 2026 onwards and form part of wider reforms to improve fairness in the private rented sector. Existing agreements signed before this date are unaffected.
Landlords and letting agents should review tenancy agreements, staff training and payment procedures to ensure compliance.
You can read the full Government guidance here:
Asking for rent in advance: guidance for local authorities – GOV.UK