Your damage deposit is not ours to keep. It is held in a government backed scheme for the whole tenancy, and the default at the end is that you get all of it back. This page covers how that works, what could come out of it, and the handful of things that decide whether anything does.
What happens to your deposit
You pay it, and it is protected
Your deposit is protected by the Deposit Protection Service, so it sits with the scheme rather than with us or the landlord.
You get confirmation in writing
Within 30 days of paying the deposit you will receive an email from the DPS confirming the details of its registration. Follow their guidance to activate the deposit account, which will speed up the return of the deposit at the end.
At the end, you are told either way
At the end of the tenancy you will be advised if any deductions are necessary. The DPS then emails you guidance for reclaiming the deposit, which is why you should tell the DPS directly if your email address changes at any point during the tenancy.
Indicative charges for loss or damage
These are the charges that may be incurred through loss or damage. They are indicative, and none of them is automatic.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Replacement keys | £25 per set of 2 |
| Call-out for delivery of replacement keys, or providing access to a house, outside office hours (weekdays 9am to 5pm, Fridays to 4.30pm) | £50 |
| Removal of abandoned waste | £12 per 70 litre bin lineror equivalent size object |
Fees for landlords
For landlords whose houses we manage, these are our fees.
| Fee | Amount, including VAT |
|---|---|
| Full management | 14.4% of rents collected12% plus VAT |
| For each tenant signed | £84 per tenant£70 plus VAT |
| For each tenant, at the start of the tenancy | £24 per tenant£20 plus VAT |
Other payments, and who protects you
- A holding deposit of £70 reserves a room or house while your booking is completed.
- The damage deposit is £200 per person, protected with the Deposit Protection Service for the whole tenancy, as described above.
- All the figures on this page include VAT where it applies.
- We are a member of the Property Redress Scheme, the independent redress scheme you can go to if a complaint to us is not resolved (see our complaints procedure).
- We are a member of Client Money Protect, the client money protection scheme that protects rent and deposits we hold for you.
Four things that decide it
Deductions are not a formality and we are not looking for them. In practice it comes down to the same few things every year, and all four are within your control.
- Return the house as it was presented to you: clean, and clear of all personal possessions and waste.
- Work as a team with your housemates. The cost of damage and rubbish in communal areas will be shared equally.
- Make sure your rent payments are up to date before the end of the tenancy.
- Make sure any council tax charges have been paid.
We issue full guidance in the run-up to the end of your tenancy, so you will not be guessing, and you can read the moving out guidance at any point before then. If anything is unclear, ask us. We would far rather answer a question in April than take money off you in June.
