Moving home can be a stressful experience, so the last thing you need is to worry about getting your deposit back.
Follow these simple tips to help avoid delays and reduce the risk of disputes with your landlord.
How do I claim my tenancy deposit back?
A smooth deposit return starts before moving day. Here's a quick checklist of things to think about:
Prepare before you move
Before you move out, check your tenancy agreement and make sure you've completed any responsibilities, like cleaning and maintenance.
Make a list of any jobs that need doing and give yourself enough time to complete them before handing back the keys.
Deep clean the property
Cleaning issues are one of the most common reasons landlords take money off a deposit. So, you need to make sure the property is in a similar state to when you moved in.
Do a deep clean before you leave, and make sure you pay extra attention to:
- kitchens and appliances
- bathrooms
- carpets and flooring
- windows
- cupboards and storage areas
Take pictures before you leave
Once you're all packed up, take clear photos of each room, along with any furniture, appliances and outdoor spaces included in the tenancy. These can be helpful if there's a disagreement later.
It's a good idea to do this as soon as you move in too!
Attend the check-out inspection
If your landlord or letting agent does a check-out inspection, try to attend.
It's a good opportunity to chat through any issues and understand why they might plan to take some money off your deposit.
Request your deposit back
After you've moved out and returned the keys, ask for your deposit back. It's usually best to do this in writing so you have a record of the request.
Use your deposit protection scheme
Most tenancy deposits will be protected in a government-approved scheme. These schemes keep the money secure until your tenancy ends.
Your landlord or agent should have told you which scheme is holding your deposit when you paid it.
What if the landlord or agent takes money off my deposit?
Landlords can only take money off your deposit for a good reason, and they should explain what that is. If you don't agree with their decision, you should:
Contact the landlord or agent first
Ask for a breakdown of the deductions and any supporting evidence, like receipts or photos.
Gather any evidence
Keep copies of:
- the photos you took before you left
- check-in and check-out reports
- receipts and payment records, like your rent payments or cleaning bills you paid for
Use the deposit scheme's dispute service
If you don't agree with a deduction and can't resolve the issue with your landlord, you can contact your deposit protection scheme.
Most schemes offer a free dispute resolution service. They'll review the evidence from both sides and make an independent decision.
Consider small claims court
If you still can't resolve the dispute, you might be able to take it to the small claims court as a last resort.
What can a landlord take money from my deposit for?
Your landlord or agent could take money off your deposit for:
Unpaid rent
If you've missed any rent payments by the end of your tenancy, your landlord can take the amount you owe from your deposit.
Damaged property
Your landlord could take money from your deposit if the property has been damaged beyond normal wear and tear, like broken fixtures or damaged flooring.
Lost or broken items
Some landlords will make an inventory showing what was in the property when you moved in, so it's worth checking everything is there before you leave.
If anything's missing, like keys or furniture, they might take some of your deposit to replace these.
Cleaning costs
If the property has been left significantly less clean than it was when you moved in, you might lose some of your deposit to foot the cleaning bill.
Gardening and maintenance
If your tenancy agreement makes you responsible for certain gardening or maintenance tasks, you'll need to make sure you keep up with these.
If not, your landlord could take what they need for maintenance costs from your deposit.
Find out more about tenant and landlord responsibilities in our guide.
Is my deposit protected by the tenancy deposit scheme?
In most cases, yes.
If you rent your home under an assured periodic tenancy (APT), your landlord has to protect your deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme.
In England and Wales, your deposit can be protected by one of these schemes:
Your landlord or letting agent will need to protect your deposit within 30 days of receiving it. They should also tell you which scheme they're using and give you information about how it works.
What should I do if my landlord hasn't protected my deposit?
If your landlord didn't protect your deposit when they should have, always speak to them first.
If you can't resolve it between you, look at getting some legal advice – you might be able to take the matter to a county court. They could order your landlord to pay you up to three times your deposit amount as compensation.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant in our guide to the Renters' Rights Act.
What happens if my local council paid my deposit?
If your local council helped with your deposit, the return process will depend on the type of support you had.
Get in touch with the council before making a claim. They'll explain what happens at the end of your tenancy and whether any money is owed back to you.
