Housing

First, check whether your deposit was protected. By law, your landlord must protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it. The three approved schemes are the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. If your landlord failed to protect your deposit or did not give you the required information about the scheme, you can apply to court for a penalty of one to three times the deposit amount on top of getting your money back.

If your deposit was protected, the scheme has a free dispute resolution service you can use if your landlord makes deductions you disagree with. You do not need to go to court for this. You simply raise a dispute through the scheme, provide your evidence, and an adjudicator makes a decision.

Evidence is everything in deposit disputes. Before you leave any property you should take detailed photographs and video of every room, read the inventory carefully and note any discrepancies, clean the property thoroughly, and return all keys. Keep copies of any communication with your landlord throughout the tenancy, especially anything about repairs or the condition of the property.

If your landlord deducts money for wear and tear, that is not allowed. Normal wear and tear such as minor scuffs on walls, small marks on carpets from regular use, or faded paintwork is expected over a tenancy and cannot be charged to you.

If your landlord refuses to engage with the dispute process or you believe they have acted unlawfully, we can help you prepare a formal letter before action and advise you on the next steps including small claims court if necessary.