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Deposits – Make sure you get yours back

Published on 30 May 13

Follow this simple guide to avoid losing your deposit when moving house and find out what help is available

If your tenancy is coming to an end soon, you may be wondering how you will get your deposit back from your landlord. Manchester Student Homes is a free, university-run housing service and they can help you get your deposit back and avoid unnecessary or unfair deductions.

The first thing you should do is to try to avoid any possible deposit deductions.

 Make sure you:

• Report repair issues when they happen, don’t leave it until the end of the tenancy.
• Settle any outstanding utility bills, remember to get your name taken off the bills too.
• Clean the property thoroughly.
• Carry out an inventory before you leave and take photographs.
• Take all your belongings with you, or make sure any unwanted items are recycled / collected.
• Don’t stay longer than you should and remember to return your keys on time.

These are just a few of the things you need to do at the end of your tenancy, a full checklist is available at Manchester Student Homes - Deposits.

Deposit Returns

Your deposit should be protected in an independent deposit protection scheme and it should be given back to you at the end of your contract.  If your landlord does want to make a deduction from your deposit, they need to inform you in writing within 28 days of the end of tenancy and they need to give you a detailed breakdown of what they are deducting and why you are liable to pay for it.

If you don’t agree with what they want to charge you, speak to your landlord to see if you can reach an agreement about how much should be deducted. If that doesn’t work, you can raise a dispute with your deposit protection scheme and they may offer an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service.

If you find yourself in this position, please contact Manchester Student Homes for advice.

ASK MSH

The Manchester Student Homes advice service is open Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm and you can drop in at any time to speak to an advisor.  Every Wednesday afternoon from 29^th May until the 31^st July they will also be holding extra ASK MSH sessions in their office in Fallowfield, specifically about deposit returns and end of tenancy queries. The ASK MSH sessions will be happening from 2pm – 4pm but if you have already left Manchester, you can visit the website at the same time and join in a live web chat instead.