The government has revised its English Housing Survey 2024–25 data, now showing that over one million private rented households paid rent in advance alongside a deposit. The updated figures, released on 30 September, correct previous data that referred to advance rent paid during households' previous tenancies instead of their current ones.
The corrected data indicates that 1.55 million private rented households made advance rent payments in addition to a deposit in 2024–25. However, the majority, 81% of these households, paid one month's rent or less in advance. This suggests the figure includes smaller advance payments rather than several months' rent upfront.
These figures cover the period before the Renters’ Rights Act reforms took effect, which now restrict landlords and agents from requiring large amounts of rent in advance. Tenants can still voluntarily pay rent early once a tenancy has begun.
The revision comes amid concerns that the ban on requiring rent in advance may be making it harder for overseas tenants to secure housing, particularly if landlords require a UK-based guarantor. Data from Foxtons shows that 63% of its tenants are from overseas.