Renting your first place and council tax (UK)

What you'll pay before you move in

Moving in usually means finding a lump sum before your first month's rent is due. In England, the rules limit what you can be asked for:

A holding deposit to reserve the place, of up to one week's rent.
A tenancy deposit of up to five weeks' rent, or six weeks if the rent is £50,000 a year or more.
Rent in advance of up to one month, and only once you've signed the tenancy agreement.

Letting agents can't charge you fees for viewings, references or setting up the tenancy. If you're asked for more than this, you can ask for it back, and your local council can help. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules.

Your deposit

Your landlord must put your deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme. You should get it back at the end, usually within 5 to 10 days, as long as you've paid your rent and bills and haven't damaged the place. If you disagree about what's being kept, the scheme can help settle it for free.

Take dated photos of everything on the day you move in. They're the easiest way to show what was already there.

Your rights as a renter in England

The Renters' Rights Act changed a lot from 1 May 2026:

No more "no fault" evictions. A landlord now needs a legal reason to end your tenancy, usually with four months' notice.
Rolling tenancies. Most tenancies now run month to month, with no fixed end date.
Rent rises once a year at most, not in the first 12 months, and with at least two months' notice. You can challenge a rise above the market rate.
No bidding wars. Landlords can't accept offers above the advertised rent.
Pets. You can ask to keep one, and your landlord must give a reason if they say no.

How council tax works

Council tax pays for local services like bins, roads and libraries. The bill is for the home, based on its band, and it's split between the adults who live there. Your council sets the amount, so check its website for your band and the yearly charge.

Living alone? You get 25% off.
Students: full-time students don't count. If everyone in the home is a full-time student, there's usually nothing to pay.
Paying it: councils usually split the bill into 10 monthly payments, but you can ask to spread it over 12.

Discounts aren't automatic, so you need to apply through your council.

Building rent into your budget

Rent is usually the biggest bill you'll have. Once you add council tax, energy, water, broadband and contents insurance, the total is often well above the rent alone. Our budgeting guide shows how to plan around your take-home pay, and a small safety net helps when a big bill arrives.

Common questions

How much deposit can a landlord ask for?

In England, up to five weeks' rent if the yearly rent is under £50,000, or six weeks if it's more. A holding deposit can be up to one week's rent.

Do I pay council tax if I'm a student?

Full-time students don't count towards council tax. If everyone in your home is a full-time student, you usually don't pay. You may need to apply to your council for the exemption.

Can my landlord put the rent up whenever they like?

Not in England, since 1 May 2026. Rent can go up once a year at most, with at least two months' notice, and not in the first 12 months.

Sources

We checked this guide against these sources on 13 October 2026. Rules and allowances can change, so check the latest position before you act.

This guide is general information, not personal financial advice. Read our full disclaimer.