Your security deposit is an upfront payment made when moving into a rental home. The deposit protects your landlord from any costs associated with you damaging the property, failing to pay rent or ending the tenancy early.
When you move out, your deposit is returned to you – minus any payments the landlord has to make for repairs. With many security deposits totalling £1000s, making sure you get the full amount returned is a priority.
Luckily, there are some simple things you can do when moving in and out to improve your chance of getting your full security deposit back from your landlord.
Know the law around your security deposit
Your rights regarding your security deposit are protected by UK law. Knowing what these are will make it easier to reclaim your security deposit when you move.
- The maximum deposit your landlord can ask for is up to 5 weeks’ rent if the rent for the year is less than £50,000 OR up to 6 weeks’ rent if the rent for the year is £50,000 or more.
- They can also require a holding deposit of up to one week’s rent to reserve a property.
- If your tenancy began after 2007 your landlord must put your deposit in an approved tenancy deposit protection scheme.
- Your landlord must return your deposit at the end of your tenancy provided you meet the terms of your tenancy agreement, do not damage the property and pay your rent and bills.
- Otherwise, your landlord can pay their costs towards the property from your deposit but must be able to demonstrate what these expenses were and why they were necessary.
What is a tenancy deposit scheme?
A tenancy deposit scheme is a government-approved agency that will hold and protect your security deposit during your tenancy. If you have any issues reclaiming your deposit when you move out you can reach out to your scheme for help
In England and Wales, your deposit can be held by the Deposit Protection Service, My Deposits or the Tenancy Deposits Scheme. Different schemes operate in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Take photos when you move in and out
Protect your security deposit by taking photos of the property when you move in and out.
Before you move in any furniture, take photos of any existing damage at the property. Look for scrapes and scuffs, missing hardware or any other damage that might require repair.
When you move out, take photos of the condition of the property, with particular attention to how clean it is.
When your deposit is returned, check for any deductions for cleaning or repairs. Use your photos to check that any repairs weren’t for damage before you moved in and that the level of cleaning shown was actually required.
If not, your photos will make it easier to raise a dispute and get your deposit back.
End of tenancy cleans to get your deposit back
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 states that landlords cannot require that you hire a professional cleaner at the end of your tenancy. However, many movers still choose to.
This is because you must return your property to the same state of cleanliness as when you moved in.
If not, your landlord can hire cleaners themselves using your deposit. These cleaners may be more expensive than you would have chosen.
For end-of-tenancy cleaning, we recommend our partners Housekeep, who offer both end-of-tenancy deep cleaning and regular scheduled cleans, with your first two hours free.Â
How to appeal if you don’t get your security deposit back
If you have problems getting your security deposit back, reach out to the tenancy deposit protection scheme your landlord uses. Your landlord must use an approved scheme and inform you which one they’re using under UK law.
The scheme will be able to guide you in reclaiming your deposit if your landlord cannot be contacted, and with disputing any unfair deductions.