It’s that time of year. The academic year is wrapping up and you may be packing up your current accommodation. If you’re moving out of privately rented accommodation and you paid a security deposit, you might be wondering how you can get this back at the end of your tenancy. We are so glad you asked! Here's what you need to know.

How do I get my deposit back?

When your tenancy ends, your landlord or letting agent should return your deposit. They might return it in full, or they might take money off (called deductions) to pay for things like damages.

Usually, the landlord or agent will do a check-out inspection after all tenants have moved out. They will look for any damage or issues. If they find anything, they may deduct some of your deposit to pay for it.

If they want to take money from your deposit, they must explain why. You can choose to accept or dispute the deductions.

• If you agree, they will tell the deposit protection scheme, and you’ll get the rest of your money back within 10 days.
• If you disagree, the scheme that your deposit has been protected in will have a free dispute resolution service that can help.

Can landlords/agents charge me for cleaning fees?

Landlords/agents cannot charge you for a professional clean when you check-out, in accordance with the Tenant Fees Act 2019. They can request that a property is cleaned to a professional standard and as tenants you are responsible for ensuring that the property is returned in the condition that you found it (aside from any fair wear and tear). If your landlord/agent does ask you to clean the property, they cannot ask you to use a particular company.

If the property is not left in a fit condition, they can deduct an amount from your deposit to return the property to its original condition and/or carry out necessary repairs. They will, however, need to evidence their deductions by providing suitable evidence (e.g. an independently produced inventory, receipts and invoices).

What’s fair wear and tear?

Fair wear and tear is an issue/damage that occurs naturally or as part of your appropriate use of the premises. For example, thinning of a carpet may be fair wear and tear from you going in and out of the property, but something like intentional marks on a wall from materials you’ve used to hang up art, would not be considered fair.

Here is an example of damages vs wear and tear:

The photo on the left includes holes/marks on the wall caused by the tenant displaying art on the walls. If you don't have your landlord's permission to do this and you leave marks/holes in the wall, this could be considered as damages. On the right, you can see a wall with slightly chipped paint. This is likely a result of paint chipping over time, not caused by the tenant, and so would likely be considered as fair wear and tear.

Tips to help get your full deposit back:

✅ Check your tenancy agreement and make sure you’ve done everything it says you need to do before moving out.
✅ Clean the property well and leave it in good condition.
✅ Go to the check-out inspection, if there is one, and ask for a copy of the check-out report.
✅ Take photos of every room before you leave: this can help if there’s a disagreement.

Need more information?

We’ve got more resources to help you understand how deposits work, including what they are, what deductions are allowed, and how the government’s deposit protection schemes work. Check out our Tenancy Deposits page for more.

You might also find our Moving Out Guide useful.

Need help?

If you're getting ready to move into new accommodation, we can check your tenancy agreement before you sign it. Just send it to us—we usually reply within three working days.

Arts SU Advisers are here to help with housing problems, including deposit issues. You can book an appointment with us on the Arts SU website. Or send us an email.

More useful links:

How to check and agree an inventory - Shelter England

What to do when you leave your rented home - Shelter England

How to get your deposit back - Shelter England

Getting your tenancy deposit back if you rent privately - Citizens Advice