The Tenants Fees Act 2019 governs what payments a landlord or letting agent may require “in connection with a tenancy of housing in England” and contains significant new rights and protections for tenants.

In a recent podcast for LawWorks Tony Martin, Housing Clinic Supervising Solicitor at BPP, looks at the Tenants Fees Act 2019 which came into force on 1 June 2019 (so it is a good time to get up to speed!). The podcast is just over 13 minutes long.

The Government states: “The aim of the Act is to reduce the costs that tenants can face at the outset, and throughout, a tenancy, and is part of a wider package of measures aimed at rebalancing the relationship between tenants and landlords to deliver a fairer, good quality and more affordable private rented sector.”

The Act bans letting fees paid by tenants in the private rented sector and caps tenancy deposits, but some payments are still permitted payments.  The law applies in England.

Given that the sums involved are relatively small (although important to tenants) it is likely that people will seek pro bono help where a prohibited payment has been demanded or taken.  It is therefore an area in which pro bono advice can make a real difference.