Big Moves · Guide
Moving out
The upfront costs, the monthly ones, and the new rules that work in your favour.
What you need upfront
The UK average for a whole property is £1,406 a month (ONS).
Bedding, kitchen basics
TL;DRThis is roughly what you need before you get the keys. Most of the deposit comes back when you leave, if the place is in good shape.
Deposit (max 5 weeks’ rent)—
First month’s rent—
Moving and bits—
Upfront total—
Holding deposit is capped at 1 week’s rent (—) and comes off the total when you sign.
The rules on your side (England)
5 weeksis the most a landlord can take as a deposit when annual rent is under £50,000. A holding deposit is capped at 1 week.Tenant Fees Act
30 daysis how long your landlord has to protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme and tell you which one.GOV.UK
No feesfor viewings, references, credit checks or setting up the tenancy — they’re banned.Tenant Fees Act
1 May 2026the Renters’ Rights Act ended “no-fault” Section 21 evictions, made tenancies rolling, and limited how much rent can be asked for upfront.Renters’ Rights Act
TL;DRYou can’t be charged admin fees, your deposit must be protected, and since May 2026 you can’t be evicted without a reason.
The monthly bills nobody mentions
| Bill | What to know |
|---|---|
| Council tax | Set by your council and property band. 25% off if you’re the only adult; full-time student households are usually exempt. |
| Energy | On the price cap, electricity is 26.32p per kWh plus 54.83p a day (Oct–Dec 2026). Take meter readings the day you move in. |
| Water | Billed by your regional water company. Ask whether there’s a meter. |
| Broadband | Contracts are often 18–24 months. Check what happens if you move out early. |
| TV licence | £180 a year from April 2026 — needed for live TV on any channel or BBC iPlayer. One per household, unless you have separate tenancy agreements. |
| Contents insurance | Your landlord’s insurance covers the building, not your stuff. |
TL;DRRent is the big one, but bills often add a few hundred pounds a month. Split them before you sign.
Your 5-minute move
See what’s left after rent
Put the rent and bills into the calculator to see your monthly money after the move.
Receipts · checked 9 November 2026
- GOV.UK — Tenant Fees Act 2019 guidance
- GOV.UK — Tenancy deposit protection
- Pinsent Masons — Major parts of the Renters’ Rights Act take effect — from 1 May 2026
- GOV.UK — Council Tax discounts
- GOV.UK — Cost of TV licence fee set for 2026/27 — £180 from April 2026
- Ofgem — Price cap rates — 1 Oct–31 Dec 2026
- ONS — Private rent and house prices, UK: October 2026