Letting agent
A business that finds tenants for landlords or manages lets. In England it must join a redress scheme, publish its fees and, if it holds client money, have CMP.
In short: A letting agent does lettings work (finding tenants) or property management work for landlords, for a fee. In England an agent must join a government-approved redress scheme, display its fees, and belong to a client money protection scheme if it holds rent or deposits. A landlord does not need an agent to let a home.
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England. Checked against the law on 5 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.
What a letting agent must do, by law:
- Belong to a redress scheme (Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 and the 2014 Order).
- Publish its fees to landlords, and its redress and client money schemes, in its office and on its website (Consumer Rights Act 2015).
- Have client money protection if it holds clients' money (Housing and Planning Act 2016 and the 2019 regulations).
- Follow the Tenant Fees Act: no fees to tenants beyond the permitted payments.
Most legal duties stay with the landlord even when an agent is paid to do them: protecting the deposit, giving the certificates, checking right to rent and giving the written statement.
Read more: Self-managing versus using an agent: what you actually do
Related: Redress scheme, Client money protection
Where this comes from
Guides on this
Guide
Self-managing versus using an agent: what you actually do
Self-managing a let in England is legal and common. The jobs, month by month, and how a PA plus the people you choose to hire compare with a full-management agent.
Guide
Deposits: the cap, the 30 days and the prescribed information
A tenancy deposit in England is capped at five weeks' rent, must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days, and the tenant must get the prescribed information. Miss any of that and you face a penalty of up to three times the deposit.
Guide
Rent in advance and rent bidding: what the Renters’ Rights Act allows
Since 1 May 2026 you cannot take rent before the tenancy agreement is signed, can take at most one month's rent before it starts, and cannot invite or accept offers above the rent you advertised.
Guide
First-time landlord checklist for England
From deciding to let to the first rent arriving: the consents, safety checks, licence, right to rent, written statement, deposit, inventory, landlord database and tax, in order, as the law stands after 1 May 2026.
Related terms
Glossary
Client money protection (CMP)
Cover that repays landlords and tenants if an agent loses or misuses money it holds for them. Compulsory for agents in England that hold client money.
Glossary
Energy performance certificate (EPC)
A certificate rating a home's energy efficiency from A (best) to G, valid for ten years. Needed before a home is let or sold, and shown in adverts.
Glossary
Guarantor
A person who promises in writing to pay the rent, or cover other losses, if the tenant does not. Often asked of students or people on a lower income.
Glossary
Holding deposit
A payment of up to one week's rent to reserve a home while the landlord checks an application. It must be returned or put towards the rent or deposit.
Glossary
Material information
The facts about a home a person needs to decide whether to rent or buy it, such as the rent or price, council tax band, EPC and any known risks, which an advert must not leave out.
Glossary
Prohibited payment (Tenant Fees Act)
Any payment a landlord or agent in England asks a tenant for that the Tenant Fees Act 2019 does not allow, such as admin, referencing or inventory fees.