How to Get Your Deposit Back as a Student

Living alone for the first time is an exciting venture and one of the key parts of the university experience. After a year in halls, most students choose to live in accommodation off campus. This typically involves entering into a contractual rental agreement with a landlord and paying a tenancy deposit. Unfortunately, deposits can be expensive. As the financial pressures on students are already so heavy, knowing how to get your deposit back can help relieve one of these stressors.

If you're wondering how to get your deposit back at the end of your tenancy, we have some key tips and advice that will help you.

What is a deposit?

Before you enter into any rental agreement, it's important to understand exactly what a deposit is and what your legal rights are. A tenancy deposit is a sum of money paid by the tenant to the landlord at the beginning of the tenancy. This is held by the landlord for the duration of the tenancy as security against damages, rent arrears or unmet obligations by the tenant. The exact amount you will pay is up to the landlord, but it's usually equivalent to one month's rent.

At the end of your tenancy, you should get your deposit back in full. This is contingent on you paying the rent and looking after the property properly. The landlord is entitled to make reasonable deductions to your student deposit if there is any outstanding rent, damages, missing items, unapproved permanent changes to the property, or cleaning fees. Normal wear and tear is allowed, so feel free to make your student house a home.

How does a deposit work on a joint tenancy?

If you sign a joint tenancy, all housemates will split the cost of a single deposit for the property, meaning that everyone is liable if there are issues. This is the case even if the damage is only in one person's room. If the landlord makes a deduction, you will need to decide as a group how you should split the remaining total. On the other hand, if you have all signed individual tenancy agreements, then you can pay your own deposits and you're only responsible for damages to your own bedroom and the communal rooms.

What is deposit protection?

Since April 2007, private landlords have been legally required to pass your deposit onto a third-party, government-approved Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) organisation. This ensures that landlords can't withhold your deposit unfairly at the end of your tenancy. Within 30 days of the beginning of your tenancy, your landlord or letting agent must place your deposit in a TDP scheme and inform you of where it is being held. There are three TDP schemes currently operating in England and Wales: Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, and Tenancy Deposit Scheme. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, there are separate schemes in operation.

When you sign your contract, ask your landlord for proof that your deposit is protected by one of these schemes. This ensures that you're covered if there's a dispute at the end of the tenancy. Remember, this is the law. If your landlord doesn't use a TDP scheme then you could be entitled to compensation or the return of your full deposit.

How to get your deposit back: steps before, during and after your tenancy

Signing your first tenancy might seem intimidating, but there's no need to spend your whole tenancy worrying about how to get your deposit back. For the most part, you can simply enjoy living in a new space surrounded by your friends. To help you get your deposit back in full, we've put together seven quick and easy steps you can take at different stages of your tenancy.

Check your tenancy agreement

It might sound boring, but reading your tenancy agreement carefully before you sign it is an absolute must. Your contract will contain key information relating to your tenancy and how the landlord expects the property to be kept. This will be crucial in helping you get your deposit back when you move out. For instance, some landlords are against pictures or decorations being stuck on the walls, while others are happy for you to decorate freely. Some landlords include a compulsory cleaning fee at the end of the contract, while others don't.

Don't get caught out by not reading the small print. Check that you're happy and familiar with the terms of your tenancy before you sign your contract. Remember, you're part of the agreement too - so feel free to negotiate or ask for additional clauses or clarifications.

Take pictures

Take pictures of the property as soon as you move in and when you leave. This provides a visual record of how you found and left the property. That way, you can prove that any issues pre-dating your tenancy are not your responsibility. That crack in the bedroom wall? That stain on the living room carpet? Not your fault. We'd also recommend sending your photos to your landlord to act as a record of the property's condition. It's also a good idea to take pictures of the meter readings at the beginning and end of the tenancy for utilities.

Ask for an inventory

Before your move-in date, your landlord should compile an inventory of everything in the property to establish what belongs to them and the condition of all items. While your own photos will help you argue your case in the event of a dispute, your inventory is an official document which records the state of the property. What does that mean? It becomes very important when thinking about how to get your deposit back.

Take a look at the inventory when you move in and again when you move out. Ensure that you and your housemates haven't accidentally taken anything that wasn't theirs and that you've left all items in a decent condition. Remember, normal wear and tear is allowed - but it's always subject to interpretation.

Report any problems

It's unusual for a tenancy to pass without some kind of issue arising, however minor. Of course, these issues won't always be your fault. For instance, you might experience an appliance breaking, mould forming, or a water leak developing. Maintaining clear and transparent communication with your landlord is key. If a problem does occur, report it as quickly as possible. Be sure to take pictures and keep records of any conversations you have too. Building a good relationship with your landlord will make getting your deposit back a much smoother experience.

Clean thoroughly

Student life isn't always the cleanliest. Admittedly, it's easy to get used to a certain level of grime as a student, but landlords don't tend to take too kindly to it. Try and keep on top of your cleaning throughout your tenancy. Draw up a cleaning rota with housemates so you can all share the burden. This helps to ensure that any property inspections go well and prevents a huge cleaning job at the end of the tenancy.

When it comes to moving out, it's time for a deep clean. If you can, try and coordinate your moving dates with your housemates so that you can all clean together. Ensure everything is in the same condition as you found it (and it can't hurt to make it even cleaner). Don't forget the little things: dust the skirting boards, vacuum under the beds and clean out the oven. Make sure you get rid of any and all rubbish - including clearing out any food from the fridge and freezer. After all, your landlord isn't going to want to tuck into a half-eaten bag of frozen peas and some fish fingers!

Landlords sometimes charge for any items left behind, so make sure you take everything with you. If there's something you don't want anymore, you could donate it. Some charities even offer collections if you have enough to give away.

Replace broken items

Accidents happen. You can't spend a year keeping your home like a museum; you have to live in it. Dropping the odd glass or accidentally smashing a plate is normal. But, unfortunately, landlords can charge quite a lot for broken items. If you're responsible for any breakages or damages, it might be a good idea to replace the items yourself - that way, you can keep costs down and avoid charges racking up. Of course, this is only within reason. Don't attempt to fix the plumbing or feel like you need to buy a new sofa.

Return your keys

When you leave for the final time, double-check that everything is locked up and the property is completely secure. That means shutting and locking all the windows, and the front and back doors. Student properties tend to go unoccupied during the summer months, so it's absolutely essential that you do your bit to ensure that it's left secure if you want to get your deposit back.

You also need to return your keys. Different landlords will want you to return keys in different ways. This should be communicated to you in your contract or through correspondence before you move out. Some want you to post the keys back through the letterbox, others want you to return them to the lettings office. Ensure that you follow their preference and that all your housemates return their keys so you avoid fines or deposit deductions.

How soon will you get your deposit back?

You should get your deposit back within ten days of the end of your tenancy, provided the landlord is satisfied with the condition of the property. There might be delays to this if the landlord wants to make deductions to your deposit. If this is the case, they must inform you of their reasons and discuss them with you. If you consider the deductions fair, you can accept them. If not, you can challenge them through your TDP operator.

All TDP schemes in the UK offer a free dispute resolution service. If you dispute any deductions to your deposit, the TDP organisation that protects your deposit can act as a mediator between the landlord and tenants. Both you and your landlord will have to provide evidence to support your claims and the TDP organisation will make the final decision. Your landlord will then need to return the agreed amount within ten days of this decision.

Take the stress out of student renting

Renting as a student can be challenging. You're navigating so many new things: living independently, managing your deposit, taking responsibility for rent payments, finding the right landlord to rent from - the list goes on. If you want to take the stress out of finding your student accommodation, head to StuRents.com. With 750,000 student beds listed, insights into property availability and tons of information about where to live in your city, you'll be sure to find the right property for you.