A five-week tenancy deposit is calculated from the weekly rent, even when the property is advertised with a monthly price. For most private tenancies in England with annual rent below £50,000, five weeks’ rent is the maximum tenancy deposit rather than a fixed amount every landlord must charge.
Use the FigurePath tenancy deposit calculator to calculate the amount from monthly rent.
Five-week deposit formula
When rent is advertised monthly:
Monthly rent × 12 ÷ 52 × 5
This converts the annual rent into a weekly figure and then multiplies it by five.
Worked examples
| Monthly rent | Weekly rent | Five-week deposit |
|---|---|---|
| £700 | £161.54 | £807.69 |
| £900 | £207.69 | £1,038.46 |
| £1,000 | £230.77 | £1,153.85 |
| £1,250 | £288.46 | £1,442.31 |
| £1,500 | £346.15 | £1,730.77 |
| £2,000 | £461.54 | £2,307.69 |
Why five weeks is not the same as one month
A year has 52 weeks but only 12 calendar months. One month’s rent at £1,000 is £1,000, while five weeks based on the annual rent is approximately £1,153.85. Multiplying the monthly rent by 1.25 is not the precise statutory calculation.
When can the limit be six weeks?
Current government guidance for England says the maximum can be six weeks’ rent where annual rent is between £50,000 and £100,000. At exactly £50,000 annual rent, the six-week maximum applies under current GOV.UK guidance.
Annual rent of £50,000 is equivalent to approximately £4,166.67 per month.
Holding deposit versus tenancy deposit
These are different payments:
- Holding deposit: paid to reserve a property during checks and capped at one week’s rent in England.
- Tenancy deposit: security held during the tenancy and usually capped at five weeks’ rent for annual rent below £50,000.
If the tenancy proceeds, a holding deposit may be credited towards the tenancy deposit or first rent payment with your agreement. Check the written payment breakdown.
What happens to the tenancy deposit?
For relevant England tenancies, the landlord or agent must protect the deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme and provide the required information. Keep the receipt, scheme details, inventory, photographs and all written communication.
Deposit example for joint tenants
Four tenants jointly rent a home for £2,400 per month. The five-week maximum is approximately £2,769.23 for the tenancy as a whole, not £2,769.23 from every tenant. If they split the deposit equally, each contributes approximately £692.31.
Use the rent split calculator if housemates are dividing costs unequally.
Plan beyond the deposit
The deposit is only one part of moving. You may also need the first rent payment, removal costs and money for bills and household setup. Read our guide to upfront renting costs before setting your moving budget.
Frequently asked questions
Can a landlord charge less than five weeks?
Yes. Five weeks is normally a maximum for qualifying England tenancies below the annual-rent threshold, not a required charge.
Can the deposit be used as the last month’s rent?
Do not assume so. The deposit is held as security and rent remains payable according to the tenancy agreement unless the landlord agrees otherwise in writing.
Does the five-week rule apply throughout the UK?
No. Deposit rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This page explains the England calculation.
What if the calculation is a few pence different?
Rounding methods can create a small difference. Ask the agent to show the annual-to-weekly calculation and ensure the amount does not exceed the applicable cap.
Sources and review information
Last reviewed: 19 July 2026. England only. This page provides a planning calculation and does not determine a legal dispute.