Paying A Deposit

Occasionally, landlords can be a bit sneaky and try to keep some (if not all) of the deposit you paid them. If you are moving into a house for the first time we would recommend that you ask for an inventory before handing over any cash. An inventory will ensure that any marks/breakages/areas of disrepair are known to have been present before you moved in (meaning you’re not to blame!).
If you do not receive an inventory (as not all landlords use them) then you should:
• Take your time looking around the property
• Make a list of any damages/breakages or marks on fixtures and fittings
• Take photographs of the areas and send them to your landlord
When you hand over your deposit, your landlord should place this in a tenancy deposit protection scheme. The 3 approved schemes in the UK are:
The three approved schemes are:
• Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
• MyDeposits
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)

If you have not received information from any of the above within 14 days of paying your deposit then you should do the following:
• Write to your landlord via letter or email
• State that it has now been 14 days since you paid your deposit
• State that you are now reminding them that they must place your deposit in one of the schemes shown below

If you still receive no response then:
• Your landlord cannot use a ‘section 21’ notice if s/he wants to end your tenancy.
• Your landlord can be ordered by the court to pay you three times the amount of the deposit in compensation
• Book an appointment with a Student Advisor in your Students’ Union. We will try to contact your landlord on your behalf, but we need your permission to do so.

What your deposit covers...
• damage to the property e.g. broken windows.
• damage to fixtures and fittings such as furniture/carpets.
• cost of cleaning the property to return it to a 'lettable' condition.
• re-decoration costs e.g. if a room has been painted without permission.
• cost of replacing keys if they were not all returned.
• any outstanding rent - one to watch on joint tenancies.
• cost of removing any rubbish from the house or outside.

The landlord/agent can make additional charges if there are specific clauses in your contract. These may include:
• cost of cutting the grass if you're liable for the garden.
• administration charges if your rent was late.
• replacing any missing items e.g. curtains/furniture

The Source would recommend that you get a receipt for the amount you paid to your landlord with both signatures on (yours and theirs).