Client Money Protection
Kings Estates is a member of ARLA Propertymark, whose Client Money Protection scheme insures rent and deposits we hold on a landlord’s behalf. Confirmation available on request.
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Statutory disclosure
Tenant fees, in full.
Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 and the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, letting agents in England can only charge tenants a defined set of payments, and only at capped levels. The fees below apply to Assured Periodic Tenancies from 1 May 2026 — here’s exactly what we’re allowed to charge, and what we don’t.
Permitted payments
What we’re allowed to charge — by law.
These are the only payments we can ask a tenant for under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 and the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Anything else asked of you in our name is wrong — and you should tell us immediately.
01
Rent
The monthly rent agreed with the landlord, paid in line with the tenancy agreement. The rent payable must not be more than the advertised amount, and the rent period must be one calendar month or a shorter period of up to 28 days.
02
Rent in advance
Rent is payable once the tenancy agreement is signed, in line with the agreed terms. For tenancies entered into on or after 1 May 2026, no more than one month's rent may be requested in advance under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
03
Refundable holding deposit
Capped at one week's rent. Reserves the property while we complete referencing. Refunded against the first rent or tenancy deposit when the tenancy starts. Retained only in defined circumstances (failed Right to Rent, false information, withdrawal — all explained on the holding-deposit receipt).
04
Refundable tenancy deposit
Capped at five weeks' rent where the annual rent is under £50,000. For tenancies with annual rent of £50,000 or more, the cap is six weeks' rent. Held in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme (TDS) and returned at the end of the tenancy in line with the agreement.
05
Changes to the tenancy at the tenant's request
Capped at £50 (inc. VAT) per agreed variation or change of sharer, or our reasonable evidenced cost if higher. Covers taking the landlord's instructions, referencing, Right to Rent checks, deposit registration and the legal documentation. We don't charge unless the tenant has requested the change.
06
Ending the tenancy early
Under an Assured Periodic Tenancy a tenant ends the tenancy by giving two months' notice in writing, aligned to the end of a rent period. If the correct notice isn't given, the landlord may charge up to the rent they would have received had it been given.
07
Default fees
Late rent — interest is capped by law at 3% above the Bank of England base rate, calculated daily, only payable once rent is more than 14 days late. Lost keys or security devices — the reasonable, evidenced replacement cost.
08
Utilities, communications, council tax & TV licence
The tenant's actual usage costs paid to the relevant supplier (gas, electric, water, broadband, council tax, TV licence). We don't add a margin or admin fee.
Prohibited payments
Fees we don’t — and can’t — charge.
These were standard letting-agent fees before June 2019. They’re now banned. If you’ve been asked to pay any of them by an agent, you have a legal right to recover the money.
- Tenant referencing fees
- Credit-check fees
- Inventory and check-in fees
- General administration or set-up fees
- More than one month's rent demanded in advance
- Cleaning fees (other than actual evidenced costs at end of tenancy)
- Professional cleaning at check-out as a default condition
Protections
Your money is protected. Your complaints have somewhere to go.
Redress scheme
We are members of The Property Ombudsman (TPO), the consumer redress scheme regulated by Trading Standards. Free, independent dispute resolution at tpos.co.uk.
Tenancy deposit protection
All tenancy deposits we hold are registered with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) within 30 days of the tenancy start, in line with the Housing Act 2004.
Frequently asked
Tenant fees,
answered.
Which rules do these fees fall under?
Two pieces of legislation. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 bans most fees historically charged to tenants, caps the rest, and limits holding and tenancy deposits. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 then converts tenancies in England to Assured Periodic Tenancies from 1 May 2026 — abolishing fixed terms and renewals, and capping rent in advance at one month. This page reflects both, and sets out exactly what we are and aren't allowed to charge — in plain English.
How much rent can I be asked to pay in advance?
For tenancies entered into on or after 1 May 2026, no more than one month's rent may be requested in advance under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Rent becomes payable once the tenancy agreement is signed, then in line with the agreed terms.
What can the holding deposit be retained for?
By law, only in specific circumstances: if you provide false or misleading information that materially affects your suitability, if you fail Right to Rent checks despite reasonable steps to comply, if you withdraw from the tenancy after we have begun referencing, or if you fail to take reasonable steps to enter into the tenancy. We must explain in writing within seven days of any decision to retain the deposit — and we typically refund the same week if your tenancy proceeds.
How is the tenancy deposit protected?
Every deposit we hold is registered with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) within 30 days of the tenancy start, in line with the Housing Act 2004. You receive prescribed information confirming the registration. At the end of the tenancy, the deposit is returned in full unless deductions are formally agreed against the inventory and check-out report.
What if I dispute a deduction at the end of the tenancy?
TDS provides a free, independent dispute resolution service. If we and you cannot agree on deductions, either party can refer the dispute to TDS — they review the evidence and make a binding decision. The disputed portion of the deposit is held by TDS until resolved.
Are there any other costs I should expect?
Aside from rent, deposits and your own utilities/council tax/TV licence, no. If the landlord requires a guarantor, the guarantor's reference is part of standard referencing — we don't charge you for it. We don't charge for inventories, check-ins or renewals.
What if I have a complaint about Kings Estates?
We are members of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) — the redress scheme that handles unresolved complaints between consumers and property professionals. If you've raised a concern with us and we haven't resolved it within eight weeks, you can refer the matter to TPO at tpos.co.uk. Membership is mandatory; complaints procedure free to use.
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