Calculate the maximum deposit you can charge for your HMO. England: 5 weeks rent (under £50k/year) or 6 weeks (over £50k). Tenant Fees Act 2019.
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 sets the caps: 5 weeks' rent if annual rent is under £50,000; 6 weeks' rent if £50,000 or more.
Regardless of amount, you must protect the deposit in a government-approved scheme (DPS, MyDeposits, or TDS) within 30 days of receiving it. Within that same 30-day window you must provide the tenant with prescribed information (scheme details, property, how to dispute deductions). Failing to do this can result in fines of up to 3× the deposit and prevents you from using a Section 21 no-fault eviction.
| Region | Deposit cap | Protection deadline |
|---|---|---|
| England | 5 or 6 weeks (based on rent) | 30 days |
| Wales | No statutory cap | 30 days |
| Scotland | 2 months' rent | 30 working days |
| Northern Ireland | 1 month's rent | 28 days |
References: Tenant Fees Act 2019; Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Act 2019; gov.uk tenancy deposit protection; approved schemes