In the UK, a landlord can keep all or part of your deposit at the end of a tenancy for specific reasons, but they must provide valid justification. These reasons typically include:
If you owe any outstanding rent at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can deduct this amount from your deposit.
Landlords can deduct from your deposit for any damage caused to the property beyond normal wear and tear. For example, if you broke windows, stained carpets, or caused structural damage, the cost of repairs can be taken from your deposit. However, landlords cannot charge for minor wear, such as faded paint or worn carpets.
If you leave the property in a less clean state than when you moved in, the landlord can deduct cleaning costs from your deposit. This typically applies if professional cleaning is needed to return the property to its original condition, as specified in your tenancy agreement.
If you have removed or lost any items that were part of the property (e.g., furniture, appliances, keys), the landlord can deduct the replacement cost from your deposit.
If your tenancy agreement specifies that you are responsible for utilities or other bills (such as council tax) and you leave these unpaid, the landlord can use the deposit to cover the outstanding amounts, provided they can prove the debt is your responsibility.
If you have breached the terms of the tenancy agreement (for example, by subletting the property without permission or damaging fixtures), the landlord may be entitled to keep part of the deposit to cover the costs of the breach.
If you made unauthorised changes to the property, such as painting walls without permission or making alterations, the landlord can charge you to return the property to its original condition, if required by the tenancy agreement.
Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) Schemes: In England, Wales, and Scotland, landlords are required to place your deposit in a government-approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDP). This ensures your deposit is protected, and any deductions must be clearly justified.
Disputes: If you disagree with the deductions, you can challenge the landlord through the deposit protection scheme’s dispute resolution service, which offers free mediation.
Evidence: Landlords must provide evidence (e.g., photos, receipts, or inventory reports) to justify any deductions.
A landlord can only keep your deposit for specific reasons, such as unpaid rent, property damage, or cleaning costs. However, these deductions must be reasonable and supported by evidence. If you believe a deduction is unfair, you can dispute it through the deposit protection scheme, which ensures a fair resolution.
