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Landlord keeping your deposit?. The law of England and Wales, in plain English.

The law, in plain English

For most assured shorthold tenancies in England, your deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days and you must be given the prescribed information. If it was not, a court can order the landlord to pay you between one and three times the deposit, on top of returning it. Deductions must reflect genuine loss, not ordinary wear and tear.

How it usually goes

  1. Check whether the deposit was protected: each scheme has a free online lookup.
  2. Raise the dispute through the scheme's free resolution service, which decides on the evidence.
  3. Unprotected deposit or unfair outcome: a county court claim, including the penalty where protection failed.

What it costs

Deposit letter £120 plus VAT · penalty claim from £350 plus VAT (illustrative).

Speak to Kestrel now.

Any hour. Plain answers, a fixed quote in writing, and a named solicitor by 9:00.

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