You should now be hearing from your previous landlord about getting your deposit back, or, if any deductions are to be made. Here is a quick guide about the rules regarding deposits and what you can do if you are worried you aren’t being treated fairly.
Upon moving out…
The accommodation provider may be able to deduct money from the deposit if you break terms in the tenancy agreement. To avoid this, before you move out:
- Clean the property thoroughly
- Check for damage
- Make sure all rent and bills are fully paid
- Check you have met all other conditions in the agreement.
Your landlord should pay your deposit back within 10 days of your request for the deposit to be returned. Tenants cannot request the return of their deposit before the tenancy ends.
Your accommodation provider must tell you promptly if he/she plans to make deductions and money owed must be paid to you without delay. If there is a delay, send a request in writing. Email is fine.
Your landlord should have registered your deposit with a deposit protection scheme. If you are unable to reach agreement over the return of the deposit, you can use the scheme to try and recover money you think is owed to you.
Where is my deposit held?
There are 3 deposit protection schemes. To find out where your deposit is protected ask your landlord or read your tenancy agreement, or visit the schemes’ websites.
If you live in a Unipol house…
Unipol protects deposits with TDS, and Unipol accredited landlords can use a special Unipol/TDS protection scheme. Lots of private landlords also use TDS directly to protect deposits.
Check if your deposit is registered with TDS here.
Help! I don’t think my deposit has been protected
Contact your accommodation provider and ask for the protection information. If the deposit has not been protected you could be entitled to compensation.
Seek legal advice
Contact your Student Union Advice Centre:
- Leeds University Union tel: 0113 380 1290 / email: advice@luu.leeds.ac.uk
- Leeds Beckett Students’ Union tel: 0113 812 8400 / email: suadvice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
- Leeds Conservatoire Student studentunion@lcm.ac.uk
- Leeds Trinity University tel: 0113 283 7100 / email: trinitywelfare@leedstrinity.ac.uk
- University of Bradford Students’ Union tel: 01274 233300 / email: ubu-advice@bradford.ac.uk
- Bradford College Students’ Union tel: 01274 433007 / email: s.union@bradfordcollege.ac.uk
- University of Nottingham Student’s Union tel: 0115 846 8730 / email: SUAdvice@nottingham.ac.uk
- Nottingham Trent Students’ Union tel: 0115 8486260 / email: sac@su.ntu.ac.uk
Complain under the Unipol Code
If your landlord is a member of the Unipol Code and you believe that your deposit has not been protected, you should contact Unipol and submit a complaint.