Know the payments before you apply
These terms explain the application, payments, move-in arrangements and ongoing responsibilities when you rent through Wingate Estate Agents Limited. They apply to residential assured periodic tenancies in England. Different arrangements, including some company lets, lodgings and high-value tenancies, require separate consideration.
The money, upfront
We do not charge tenants an administration, referencing, inventory or renewal fee. Payments are limited to those permitted by the Tenant Fees Act 2019 and other applicable law. There is no additional VAT charge on Wingate's own fees because Wingate is not VAT registered.
One week to reserve
The holding deposit is capped at one week's rent for the whole tenancy, not one week per applicant.
Five or six weeks as security
The deposit cap is five weeks' rent below £50,000 annual rent, or six weeks where annual rent is £50,000 or more and the legislation applies.
15 calendar days
The usual deadline for reaching a tenancy agreement after receipt of the holding deposit, unless a different deadline is agreed in writing.
Rent after signing
No rent is requested, encouraged or accepted before the landlord or agent and the tenant have signed the tenancy agreement.
For a monthly tenancy, no more than the first month's rent can be required between signing and the tenancy starting. We provide a breakdown showing the rent, deposit, any holding-deposit credit and balance due. Weekly equivalents are calculated as monthly rent multiplied by 12 and divided by 52.
Our independent redress membership is Property Redress, PRS046304. Our client money protection is with Propertymark CMP, C0139849. These are separate from the scheme protecting your individual tenancy deposit.
Reserving a property
Once the landlord accepts your application in principle, we confirm the proposed terms and may request a holding deposit of up to one week's rent. We explain the agreement deadline and what information is needed to progress the application. Only one holding deposit may be held for the same proposed tenancy at a time.
When a holding deposit may be retained
Retention is permitted only in the circumstances and subject to the safeguards in the Tenant Fees Act 2019. These can include where you:
- Withdraw from the proposed tenancy.
- Do not have a Right to Rent and the statutory conditions for retention are met.
- Give false or misleading information which materially affects your suitability, rather than an immaterial mistake.
- Fail to take reasonable steps to enter the tenancy by the agreed deadline while the landlord or agent has taken all reasonable steps required of them.
We explain any decision to retain the holding deposit in writing within the applicable 7-day statutory deadline. Failure to provide the required explanation can mean the deposit must be returned. Simply failing an affordability check or having a reference the landlord does not like is not, by itself, a right to retain it.
Refunds and credit against your payments
Where the landlord withdraws, or the law otherwise requires repayment, the holding deposit is returned within the applicable 7-day period. If the tenancy proceeds, it is refunded or, with your agreement, credited to the security deposit or first rent payment. No credit is applied without the required consent.
Moving in
We agree the start date and key handover with you and the landlord, and with an inventory clerk where one is appointed. Before authorised occupation, the following must be completed:
- The necessary referencing and lawful Right to Rent checks.
- Signing of the tenancy agreement by the required parties, with guarantor documentation where applicable.
- Payment of the agreed lawful sums in cleared funds, with rent collected only after the tenancy agreement is signed.
- Confirmation of the key collection or check-in appointment and the required safety information.
Inventory and condition
Where instructed, an independent clerk records the property's condition. We aim to email the report within 5 days of move-in. Please send any corrections, dated photographs or concerns within 7 days of receiving it. The report is evidence, not an automatic determination of liability; silence does not remove your right to challenge an inaccurate statement or a later deposit deduction.
Keys
We confirm the number of sets provided, normally one set for each named tenant. Request any additional keys in advance and obtain the landlord's consent where necessary. You pay only a lawful, agreed and properly evidenced cost. All keys and access devices must be returned when the tenancy ends.
Your belongings
The landlord's buildings insurance does not ordinarily insure your possessions. You may choose suitable contents cover, but you are not required to purchase insurance from Wingate or a nominated provider as a condition of the tenancy.
The security deposit
| Annual rent | Maximum tenancy deposit |
|---|---|
| Below £50,000 | 5 weeks' rent |
| £50,000 or more, where the statutory cap applies | 6 weeks' rent |
Protection and information
The deposit must be registered with a government-approved scheme and the prescribed information supplied within 30 calendar days of receipt. The tenancy documents identify who holds the deposit, the scheme used and whether the arrangement is custodial or insured.
Approved schemes include the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. The scheme named in your prescribed information is the scheme that protects your deposit and handles any eligible dispute.
Deductions and repayment
A deduction must have a proper contractual and legal basis, such as unpaid rent or evidenced damage beyond fair wear and tear. The landlord cannot use the deposit to improve an item at your expense or charge you an unlawful fee. You receive an explanation of proposed deductions and can dispute them.
The agreed deposit balance must be returned within 10 calendar days after you and the landlord agree the amount. Supply current bank details securely. If a sum is disputed, use the protection scheme's dispute process or the court as appropriate; the disputed funds remain protected during resolution.
Rent and when it may increase
Paying the rent
Pay the full rent on the dates stated in your agreement using the confirmed payment instructions. Where joint tenants share one tenancy, arrange payment of the full amount rather than assuming that separate individual payments release anyone from joint obligations.
Set up your banking arrangements in sufficient time for the rent to arrive when due. Verify any change of account details directly with Wingate using a trusted telephone number. We do not require later rent instalments before their contractual due date. The agreed starting rent cannot exceed the advertised amount.
Rent increases
For an assured periodic tenancy, the landlord must use the statutory Section 13 procedure and prescribed Form 4A. An increase cannot take effect in the first 12 months of a new tenancy or more than once in a 12-month period. At least two months' notice is required. You can challenge a proposed above-market rent through the First-tier Tribunal within the applicable deadline.
Late payment
Where the tenancy agreement permits it and rent has been outstanding for at least 14 days, the only default charge for late rent is simple interest at no more than 3 percentage points above the Bank of England base rate. Under this schedule we charge it from the 15th day until the overdue principal is paid, calculated daily and without compounding.
There is no separate late-payment administration fee, reminder fee or collection fee. An interest calculation will identify the overdue amount, rate and period. Contact us promptly if you are experiencing payment difficulties.
Your tenancy agreement
Assured periodic tenancies continue on a rolling basis rather than having a fixed six- or twelve-month end date. The agreement records the rent period, permitted occupiers, use of the home and the responsibilities of the landlord and tenants. Existing and excluded tenancies may need separate advice.
Read the full agreement and any guarantor undertaking before signing. Keep a copy, together with the written tenancy information, safety records and deposit documents supplied for your tenancy.
Repairs and access
Report defects promptly to the named managing agent or landlord. Wingate arranges repairs only for properties within its management instruction. Obtain approval before ordering non-emergency work which you expect the landlord to pay for. Routine access is arranged with appropriate notice and respect for your right to quiet enjoyment; emergency circumstances are considered separately.
Household arrangements and pets
Tell us about a proposed change of occupier and seek any consent required by the agreement and the law. A request to keep a pet must be considered under the applicable rules and cannot be rejected unreasonably. No additional fee or deposit will be charged unless the law expressly permits it.
Ending your tenancy
Normally give at least two months' written notice, unless a shorter lawful period has been agreed. The tenancy should end on a rent due date or the day before, unless the landlord agrees a different lawful surrender arrangement. Keep a record of the notice and delivery.
You can give written notice by an appropriate written method, including letter, email or text; the landlord cannot impose an unlawful restriction on the method. A shorter period can be agreed in writing, with the necessary consent of the joint tenants where applicable. Continue paying rent during the notice period unless released in writing.
When the landlord seeks possession
The landlord must rely on a lawful possession ground, serve the required notice and use the proper legal process. A landlord cannot end an assured periodic tenancy simply by inserting a fixed end date or using a new Section 21 notice. Do not ignore a notice; seek independent housing advice if you are unsure of its effect.
Moving out
Arrange check-out, remove your belongings and leave the property in the condition required by the agreement, allowing for fair wear and tear. Return all keys and devices, record final meter readings and provide a forwarding contact address. Any cleaning or damage deduction must be properly justified; a compulsory professional-cleaning fee is not imposed.
Utilities and optional home setup
Unless your tenancy expressly includes them, you are responsible for the applicable gas, electricity, water, council tax, broadband, telephone and television charges associated with your occupation, including a TV licence where required.
Optional assistance
Where Wingate offers help notifying suppliers or introducing a setup provider, we explain who will receive your details, why, and any relevant referral arrangement before making the introduction. Optional broadband, insurance, removals or similar services are your choice, and you are free to use other suppliers.
The provider for any agreed home-setup service will be identified separately. You remain responsible for checking opening readings, account names, tariff terms and the dates covered by your bills.
Your information and our communications
We use personal information only where there is a lawful basis, including arranging the tenancy, checking eligibility, managing payments and repairs, meeting legal duties and handling disputes. We share only relevant information with the landlord, referencing or compliance services, deposit scheme, authorised contractors and other recipients explained in our Privacy Notice.
Please tell us promptly if your telephone number, email or correspondence address changes. Day-to-day communication may be by telephone, email, text or another agreed channel. The legal rules for serving a formal notice depend on its type; routine use of email does not mean every statutory notice can be validly served that way.
You may request a copy of our Privacy Notice and exercise applicable data rights by contacting info@wingateestates.co.uk. The providers relevant to your application and tenancy will be identified in the information supplied to you.
Stamp Duty and complaints
Stamp Duty Land Tax
HMRC's published position is that it is not collecting SDLT on the rent element of assured tenancies from 1 May 2026 while legislation is introduced to remove that charge with effect from that date. This is not a general exemption for premiums, non-assured leases or every property transaction. Seek tax advice if your arrangements fall outside an ordinary assured residential tenancy.
Raising a concern
Contact our Complaints Manager at info@wingateestates.co.uk or 020 4531 0143. We acknowledge complaints within 3 working days and aim to provide the initial response within 15 working days of acknowledgement. You may request a final internal review. The full procedure is available on request.
For an unresolved complaint within its remit, Property Redress provides independent review without charge to the complainant. Allow up to 8 weeks for our investigation and follow the scheme's current conditions and time limits. Contact Property Redress on 0333 321 9418 or at propertyredress.co.uk. A dispute over deposit deductions is normally dealt with by the named deposit-protection scheme.
The complete tenant payment schedule
| Payment | Amount or limit | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | As agreed for the property | No payment of rent before the tenancy agreement is signed; statutory advance-payment limits apply. |
| Holding deposit | Up to 1 week's rent | Refundable or credited with the required agreement, subject to the lawful retention rules. |
| Security deposit | Up to 5 weeks' rent; 6 at £50,000+ annual rent | For tenancies within the statutory cap. Protected and documented within 30 days of receipt. |
| Tenant-requested change | £50 total | Or a higher reasonable evidenced cost where permitted. No VAT added to Wingate's fee. |
| Lost keys or security devices | Reasonable actual replacement cost | Evidence in writing is required. An indicative price of £15 for a basic key is not an automatic flat fee; a lower actual cost means a lower charge. Locks are charged only where replacement is reasonably necessary. |
| Late rent | Up to base rate + 3% per year | Only where permitted by the tenancy agreement, after rent is at least 14 days overdue. Under this schedule, daily simple interest starts on day 15. |
| Agreed early surrender / insufficient notice | Permitted actual loss and reasonable costs | Only within the legal limits; no double recovery and no fee for giving valid ordinary notice. |
| Utilities, communications, TV licence and council tax | As the tenancy lawfully requires | External supplier VAT only where applicable; no unauthorised agency surcharge. |
| Administration, references, inventory and renewal | £0 | These are not charged to the tenant. |
Company and regulatory information
- Registered company
- 15700396 · England and Wales
- Registered office
- 233 Regents Park Road, London, England, N3 3LF
- Property Redress
- PRS046304 · published certificate valid to 10 June 2027
- Client money protection
- Propertymark CMP · C0139849 · published certificate valid to 30 November 2026
- ICO registration
- ZB701860 · published certificate valid to 13 June 2027
