If you're charged a holding deposit or illegal fee

It’s against the law for your landlord to charge you any fees when starting or renewing a tenancy.

Getting your landlord to return an illegal fee

Write to your landlord or letting agent to explain it’s an illegal fee. Ask your landlord to return the money. If they do not, you can take them to the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber).

Use form F (Civil Proceedings Application) and rule 111 to apply. Get form F and notes on completing it on the tribunal website.

When you apply, you’ll need to send the tribunal a copy of:

• your tenancy agreement
• any emails or letters you sent your landlord about the illegal fee

Getting a letting agent to return an illegal fee

If a letting agent does not return an illegal fee when you ask them to, you can make a complaint.