This is part of a series of guidance about deposits provided for students.
After the Tenancy
You should be prepared to allow a reasonable period of time at the end of the tenancy for the return of your deposit. Try and find out at the start how long the landlord or agent usually takes to process deposit returns, and, as long as this is a reasonable period, only follow up once this period has expired. If there are any problems with the property that are going to lead to deductions, they will delay return of your deposit; work will have to be booked with contractors, and invoices will have to be in before the landlord can work out how much to deduct, and consequently what portion of the deposit to return.
Practices vary between different landlords and agents; some will post out a cheque, others will make arrangements to return it to your bank account. If you know how you are expecting the money back, you will not miss a payment into your bank.
If the landlord takes longer to return the deposit than the agreed period, contact them politely to find out what the hold up is. If you don’t get anywhere with this, put your request in writing, informing them that you expect to receive your deposit back within a suitable period (say, fourteen days). Keep a record of all correspondence.
If any deductions are made from your deposit, you should receive notification from the landlord of what these deductions are for. If they fail to provide this, write to them asking to provide a breakdown of the deductions.
If the property you rented was covered by the TDSRA (it should be mentioned in your Tenancy Agreement if it is) then you will have access to a process that’s designed to be easy and cheap to resolve the matter. Take a look on the TDSRA website, or contact the letting agent, who should tell you the procedure.
If you fail to get satisfaction, you should contact your university / college’s Student Advice Centre (or equivalent) or a Citizen’s Advice Bureau who will be able to advise on further steps.
Summary
- Allow a reasonable time for return of deposits.
- Try and find out your landlord / agent’s usual timescale for dealing with deposit returns.
- If the deposit is not returned within a reasonable period, feel free to chase up with a telephone call and/or in writing. Keep a record of all correspondence.
- Remain polite in all communications.
- Feel free to ask for a breakdown of any deductions made from the deposit.
- If your tenancy is covered, the TDSRA will provide one avenue of redress in the event of dispute.
- If not, your Student Advice Centre or Citizens’ Advice Bureau will be able to provide advice on the next step.
Pages in this Guide
- Before Looking for a House
- Moving In
- During the Tenancy
- The End of the Tenancy
- After the Tenancy
- Property Vacation Checklist (PDF)
This information is provided for general guidance only, and should not be considered to be definitive or legally binding in respect of any specific situation. If you have a specific query, you should contact your Student Advice Centre, or a Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
This guide is copyright LetsUni, and may not be reproduced without prior written permission.