Tenancy deposits
If you are an Assured Shorthold Tenant, your landlord or letting agent cannot hold your deposit. This must be held in one of three a government approved ‘Deposit Protection Schemes’.
If you have paid a deposit and it hasn’t been protected in this way:
- You can claim compensation
- It may be harder for your landlord or letting agent to end your tenancy
Your landlord or letting agent should return your deposit when you tenancy ends, unless they have reasons to make deductions.
If you are a lodger, any deposit you pay does not have to be protected.