• you may have to pay a holding deposit if you have agreed to rent a particular property but have not yet signed the contract or moved in
• The deposit guarantees that you will take up the tenancy, and the landlord or agent is guaranteeing to let it to you.
• You should not pay any money unless you are sure you want that particular property
• Insist on confirmation of what the deposit covers and when it will be returned to you
• If the Holding Deposit is to be used as part of your tenancy deposit when you have moved in, it will be subject to deposit protection
• Holding deposits which relate only to the reservation of the property are not covered by the protection rules.

• Agents may charge fees once they have found you a place to live and you have agreed to accept it
• It is illegal for them to charge you just for registering with them.
• Once you have accepted a property, you may also have to pay a fee for having your tenancy agreement or inventory drawn up

• Most landlords ask for rent to be paid in advance
• If you pay rent monthly, you will usually have to pay for the first month before you move in

About

• Holding Deposits
• Fees
• Rent in Advance

See  Private Tenancies: paying a deposit. Understanding where your money goes and how to get it back.  Page 5. Shelter.org.uk