THP’s Platinum MTD Service with FREE Landlord Software

Looking for free MTD compliant landlord software?

A comprehensive package that will help you manage your buy-to-let portfolio?

If the answer is ‘YES!’ then look no further.

As The Landlord’s Accountants, THP has teamed up with Hammock – the Making Tax Digital compliant software made by landlords for landlords.

  • Free MTD Landlord Management Software
  • Your own buy-to-let specialist accountant working for you
  • Access to landlords’ advanced tax planning services
  • Preparation of annual Self-Assessment tax returns for you and your spouse/partner
  • And much, much more…
james.morton

Tenant fees explained

In June 2019, the long-anticipated tenant fees ban covering many types of fees finally came into force.

If you are a buy-to-let landlord in England, you need to comply with the rules or you face a fine of up to £5,000 for a first offence. Breach the regulations again within five years and you could be hit with an unlimited fine, or even a jail sentence.

As you can see, it’s vital you know what you can and cannot charge tenants for. It’s not worth getting slapped with a huge penalty just for trying to recoup a few costs!

What you can charge tenants for

Let’s start with what you can charge for. In addition to rent and utility bills, landlords and agents can still ask tenants for certain payments. These are:

  • A deposit. But note that you can now only ask for up to five weeks’ rent, or six weeks if the yearly rent is over £50,000.
  • A holding deposit. You can ask up to one week’s rent, but it must be refundable.
  • Default fees. If a rent payment is overdue by 14 days or more, you can charge a ‘default fee’. You can only charge interest at the Bank of England base rate plus 3%.
  • Lost keys / key fobs. Also called a ‘default fee’, you can bill ‘reasonable costs’ for replacing lost keys or key fobs.
  • Tenancy agreement changes. If the tenant requests a change to the tenancy agreement – such as getting agreement to keep a pet, or adding a new tenant to the contract – you can charge up to £50. If your ‘reasonable costs’ are higher than this, you need to provide evidence such as invoices and receipts.
  • Early termination fees. You can charge only for the actual cost you have incurred, and be able to provide evidence of that cost.

As you can see, there are significant changes to most of these fees, limiting how much you can charge. But what fees are you now completely banned from imposing?

What the tenant fees ban seeks to prevent a landlord charging for

The simple answer to this question is ‘pretty much anything else’. But for clarity, these are common charges that are now outlawed.

  • Tenancy renewal fees.
  • Viewing fees
  • ‘Check-out’ fees
  • End of tenancy cleaning charges
  • Gardening fees
  • Charges for allowing a rent guarantor
  • Reference checking fees

In short, hidden charges have to go and landlords – not tenants – now have to cover the costs for agreeing, renewing and ending tenancies.

So, what do the rules mean for you as a buy-to-let landlord?  If you let out your properties directly, you’ll have to absorb extra costs yourself or raise your rents.

There is one alternative, however. Because many of the fees used to apply when a tenancy was renewed or changed, it could make sense for you to offer longer contracts. In other words, the less often you change your tenants, the less often you’ll need to cover additional expenses.

Of course, the only issue then is to find great tenants who’ll look after your property, stay long enough and pay their rent on time.

Buy to let advice with THP

For further advice on your buy-to-let property view our landlords advice section or contact us here today at THP Chartered Accountants, with offices in ChelmsfordSuttonWanstead and Saffron Walden.

Need further advice on any of the topics being discussed? Get in touch and see how we can help.

    By submitting this form you agree to our Privacy notice and Terms and conditions.
    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Avatar for Jon Pryse-Jones
    About Jon Pryse-Jones

    Since joining THP in 1978, Jon Pryse-Jones has been hands on with every area of the business. Now specialising in strategy, business planning, and marketing, Jon remains at the forefront of the growth and development at THP.

    An ideas man, Jon enjoys getting the most out of all situations, “I act as a catalyst for creative people and encourage them to think outside the box,” he says, “and I’m not afraid of being confrontational. It often leads to a better result for THP and its clients.”

    Jon’s appreciation for THP extends to his fellow team members and the board.  “They really know how to run a successful business,” he says.  He’s keen on IT and systems development as critical to success, and he continues to guide THP to be at the cutting edge and effective.

    Join The Conversation
    ICAEW
    Cyber Essentials Plus certification
    Sign up for our Newsletter