Government updates Tenant Fees Act for landlords

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Government updates Tenant Fees Act for landlords

The government has quietly updated its official guidance on what landlords and letting agents can charge during a tenancy, adding new detail on how council tax and TV licence payments should be handled.

Changes have been made to the ‘Fees you can charge as part of a tenancy‘ section of the guidance for landlords and agents, which sits under the broader advice on renting out a property.

The update focuses on utilities and household bills, an area that has continued to generate confusion years after the Tenant Fees Act came into force.

Council tax and TV licence payments

Officials have now added specific wording to explain that council tax and TV licence payments fall under separate rules from other utilities.

The clarification is designed to help landlords and agents distinguish between permitted charges and costs that must remain the tenant’s responsibility.

The revised guidance states that while tenants can be required to pay council tax where it applies, the liability depends on the type of property and who occupies it.

This can vary between single lets, HMOs and properties where the landlord retains responsibility under local authority rules.

Tenants must have a TV licence

TV licence payments have also been singled out, with the guidance underlining that tenants are responsible for holding a valid licence if they watch or stream live television or use BBC iPlayer.

Landlords, however, may remain liable in certain shared accommodation scenarios, depending on how the tenancy is structured.

The update does not change the law itself, but it does signal a renewed effort by the government to tighten up interpretation of the Tenant Fees Act.

Enforcement bodies have previously warned that misunderstandings around permitted payments continue to expose landlords and agents to financial penalties.

The amended guidance is now live on the UK government website and applies to landlords and letting agents operating in England.

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