Can a landlord ask for a deposit bigger than five weeks' rent?Beta*

Not if the yearly rent is under £50,000, which covers most tenancies. The cap is then five weeks' rent, and six weeks' if the yearly rent is £50,000 or more. To work it out, take the monthly rent, multiply by 12, divide by 52, and multiply by 5. Anything above that is a banned payment and must be given back. Trading standards can fine the landlord or agent, and you can claim the excess back through the county court. Every penny of the deposit still has to be protected in an approved scheme within 30 days.

Sources: GOV.UK: Tenant Fees Act guidanceGOV.UK: tenancy deposit protection