Government revises figures on private renters paying rent upfront

The government has corrected its own data to reveal that more than one million private rented households paid rent in advance alongside a deposit in 2024–25.

The government updated the English Housing Survey 2024–25 on 30 September because the previous data referred to rent in advance paid during households’ previous tenancies rather than their current tenancies.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords and agents can no longer require large amounts of rent in advance before a tenancy starts for agreements covered by the new rules. However, tenants can voluntarily pay rent early once the tenancy has begun.

81% of households paid one month’s rent or less

As reported by Property118, the previously published total was 626,000 households. However, the corrected figures show that 1.55 million private rented households “paid rent in advance in addition to the deposit” in 2024–25.

However, 81% of those households paid one month’s rent or less in advance. This means the figure includes relatively small advance payments, such as one month’s rent paid before moving in, rather than several months’ rent being paid upfront.

The figures cover the period before the Renters’ Rights Act reforms took effect. The correction relates to households’ current tenancies rather than their previous tenancies, and does not show an increase in advance payments over time.

Surge in guarantor requests

The correction comes amid concerns that the ban on rent-in-advance is making it harder for overseas tenants to secure a home, particularly where landlords require a UK-based guarantor.

According to data from Zero Deposit, London rents have increased by almost 10% (9.9%) in the two years since May 2024, rising from an average of £2,088 to £2,294.

Data from Foxtons reveals that almost two-thirds (63%) of its tenants come from overseas, meaning many international renters may struggle to provide a UK-based guarantor despite being able to afford the rent.