Housing

Deposit Return Request Letter Template

A firm but professional letter requesting the return of a tenancy deposit, or disputing unfair deductions made by a landlord.

When to use this template

Use this template if your landlord has not returned your tenancy deposit within 10 days of the end of your tenancy, or if you dispute deductions they have made. Send this letter before raising a formal dispute with the deposit protection scheme.

The template

[Your Full Name]
[Your New Address Line 1]
[Town / City]
[Postcode]

[Date]

[Landlord's Full Name / Letting Agent Name]
[Landlord's Address Line 1]
[Town / City]
[Postcode]

Dear [Mr/Ms Landlord's Last Name],

Re: Tenancy Deposit Return - [Full Address of Rented Property]
Tenancy End Date: [Date]
Deposit Amount: £[X]
Deposit Protection Scheme Reference: [Reference Number if known]

I am writing regarding the return of my tenancy deposit of £[X] for the above property. My tenancy ended on [date] and I returned the keys on [date].

[OPTION A - Deposit not returned]
It has now been more than 10 days since the end of the tenancy and I have not received my deposit or any written notification of proposed deductions. Under the terms of the tenancy and the Tenancy Deposit Protection regulations, you are required to return the deposit within 10 days of reaching agreement on any deductions.

I request that you return the deposit in full by [date 7 days from today]. If you are intending to make deductions, please provide a full written breakdown with supporting evidence within the same period.

[OPTION B - Disputing deductions]
I have received your proposed deductions totalling £[X]. I dispute the following:

  [Deduction 1]: £[X] - [Your reason for disputing it, e.g. this damage was present at check-in and recorded in the original inventory / this is fair wear and tear and not my liability]
  [Deduction 2]: £[X] - [Your reason]

I am therefore requesting the return of £[X], being the deposit of £[X] less the undisputed deductions of £[X].

If we are unable to reach agreement, I will raise a formal dispute with [the Tenancy Deposit Scheme / Deposit Protection Service / mydeposits], as I am entitled to do under the Housing Act 2004.

Please respond in writing within 7 days.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]

[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Telephone Number]
[Your Email Address]

Tips for using this template

1Your landlord must return the deposit within 10 days of agreeing on any deductions, or within 10 days of the tenancy end if there are no deductions.
2If the deposit was not protected in a government-approved scheme, your landlord may owe you up to three times the deposit amount as a penalty.
3You can raise a free dispute with the deposit protection scheme without needing to go to court. The scheme will adjudicate based on evidence.
4Normal fair wear and tear (minor scuffs, carpet thinning) cannot be deducted by the landlord.
5Send this letter by tracked post and keep a copy as evidence.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a landlord have to return my deposit?

A landlord must return your deposit within 10 days of you both agreeing how much you'll get back. There's no fixed statutory deadline for reaching that agreement itself, but where no deductions are proposed there's nothing to negotiate, so a landlord withholding the deposit well beyond the tenancy end date without explanation is acting outside the spirit of the scheme.

What can I do if my landlord won't respond about my deposit?

If your deposit was protected in a government-approved scheme (TDS, DPS or mydeposits), you can raise a free dispute directly with that scheme, which will adjudicate based on evidence without needing to go to court.

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