What can a landlord keep from your deposit?
Reasons your landlord could keep your deposit
The tenancy deposit is your money.
Your landlord or agent should refund your full deposit at the end of the tenancy unless they have a reason to keep any of it.
Any deposit deductions must be reasonable and relate to money lost by the landlord.
Return the property how you found it
You should return the property in a similar state to when you moved in.
You do not have to improve the property.
Some renters choose to pay for professional cleaning before they move out to avoid disputes over the deposit but you do not have to do this.
Your landlord cannot keep any of your deposit for 'fair wear and tear'.
What is fair wear and tear?
Fair wear and tear means changes caused by normal everyday living.
It is not the tenant's fault.
Fair wear and tear can include:
small scuffs on walls
faded curtains or furniture
worn flooring or frayed carpets
Landlords and tenants often disagree on what counts as fair wear and tear.
The deposit protection schemes look at who lives with you and how long you have lived there if you ask them to resolve a dispute about wear and tear.
Example: normal wear and tear in a family home
More wear and tear is allowed for a family with children moving out of a private tenancy after 5 years than for a single person moving out after 6 months.
Last updated: 6 May 2024
