Holding deposit receipt and terms template
A holding deposit receipt and terms records a payment made to reserve a rented property in England while the applicant's references and checks are completed. It states how much was paid, the deadline for agreeing the tenancy and when the deposit must be repaid or can be kept. The property, the applicant, the amount and the dates change each time.
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What changes each time
17 values. Everything else is your wording, kept exactly.
The parties
- Landlord's full name
- Letting agent's business name, address, phone and email
- Applicants' full names
The property and proposed tenancy
- Property address
- Rent
- Proposed start date
- Tenancy deposit to be taken
- Other agreed points
The holding deposit
- Amount paid
- Date of payment and method
- Annual rent and one week's rent
Deadline
- Deadline for agreeing the tenancy
- Different deadline agreed in writing
Repayment and use
- Account for repayment
- Amount put towards the first payment of rent or the tenancy deposit
Signing
- Name and date for landlord or agent
- Name and date for each applicant
The rules it usually needs
Written in plain English when the template is set up.
- One of several wordings
“Say the tenancy deposit is a stated sum or that none will be taken.”
Only the chosen wording appears.
- One of several wordings
“Say the holding deposit is put towards the first rent or the tenancy deposit, or is repaid and not used for any other payment.”
The amount deducted from what the applicant pays appears only on the first form.
- One of several wordings
“Describe the rent period as monthly or weekly.”
Only the chosen period appears.
- Only when…
“Include the letting agent only when an agent takes the deposit.”
The agent's details appear.
- Only when…
“Include the different deadline only when one is agreed in writing.”
The new date is written in.
- Only when…
“Include an extra row of other agreed points only when there are any.”
Each point is listed.
- Once for each item
“One signature block for each applicant.”
Two applicants each sign and date the receipt.
Questions people ask
How much can a holding deposit be?
In England, no more than one week's rent, which is the annual rent divided by 52.
When must a holding deposit be repaid?
Within 7 days of the tenancy agreement being signed, of the landlord deciding not to let, or of the deadline passing without agreement, unless a ground for keeping it applies.
When can a landlord keep a holding deposit?
Only in the cases the Tenant Fees Act 2019 allows, such as the applicant giving false or misleading information, failing a right to rent check, withdrawing before the deadline or failing to take reasonable steps to enter the tenancy.
What is the deadline for agreement?
15 days from the day the landlord receives the deposit, counting that day as day 1, unless a different date is agreed in writing.
Can a landlord charge for referencing as well?
No. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 bans charges for referencing and administration in most cases. The holding deposit is the only payment before the tenancy is signed.
Use this template
It opens in DocuWeave as a template you can check, change and publish. Nothing is used until you do.