If your landlord kept your deposit and never protected it, a court can order them to return it and must also award you between 1x and 3x the deposit on top. If it was protected, you can use the scheme's free dispute service to challenge unfair deductions. Either way, first check all three schemes to find out whether it was protected. The usual time limit for a compensation claim is six years.
Sound Familiar?
They Kept All Of ItYou moved out and the deposit never came back. Not a penny.
Unfair DeductionsMoney taken for cleaning, old marks or wear and tear that was there before.
No ReplyYou asked for it back. Your landlord went quiet or kept making excuses.
Nowhere To Dispute ItYou looked for the deposit scheme to complain to, and it was not in any of them.
You Could Claim Two Things
Your Original Deposit
The money you paid at the start
Even if they deducted some or all of it
A court can order your landlord to repay it
This is your money, not a bonus
Compensation On Top
If your deposit was never protected
Or protected late, after 30 days
A court must award 1x to 3x the deposit
Paid on top of getting your deposit back
Judy's Story: Deducted With No Damage
J
JudyRenting a flat, moved out after two years
£1,200deposit
What happenedJudy left the flat clean, with no damage. Her landlord still kept her deposit, blaming cleaning and wear and tear.
The problemShe tried to raise a dispute, but her deposit was not in DPS, TDS or mydeposits. It had never been protected.
What we didWe checked all three schemes, prepared her case and introduced her to a no win, no fee solicitor.
The resultThe solicitor wrote to her landlord, and Judy got her full £1,200 deposit back.
Deposit back£1,200
She paid up front£0
An illustrative example based on typical cases. Names and details are made up.
A Deposit Taken After Years In The Home
H
HannahRented the same house for five years
£850deposit
What happenedWhen Hannah moved out, her landlord kept all £850, pointing to some damage after five years.
The problemHer landlord had never put the deposit in a government scheme, so there was no free dispute service to use.
What we didWe confirmed it was not protected, built her case file and passed it to a specialist solicitor.
The resultEven with some damage, Hannah got her £850 deposit back, plus compensation because it was never protected.
Deposit back£850
Plus compensation1x to 3x
An illustrative example based on typical cases. Names and details are made up.
What Helps (You Do Not Need It All)
Proof you paid the deposit, like a bank statement
Your tenancy agreement
Messages about the deductions or your deposit
Photos from when you moved out
Roughly when you moved in and out
Here's What You Get When Working With Us
Recommended
With Free Deposit Check
Full online deposit check and analysis
All three deposit schemes searched for you
Eligibility and time limits checked
Your whole case file prepared
Matched with our specialist solicitors
£387 court fee covered in your agreement
With you at every step
£0 up front and £0 if you lose (terms apply)
Claiming Yourself
Search each scheme yourself
Work out if you qualify
Gather and organise all the evidence
Write the letter to your landlord
Pay the £387 court fee up front (Help with Fees may cut it)
If you win, the solicitor's success fee (up to 25% + VAT) comes out of your compensation. The solicitor pays us for the introduction, so you never pay us anything.
Quick Answers
Can I Get My Deposit Back If My Landlord Said There Was Damage?
If your deposit was never protected, you may still be able to claim it back. Your landlord can argue about genuine damage, and the court decides.
Do I Get Compensation As Well As My Deposit?
If your deposit was never protected, or protected late, a court must award 1x to 3x the deposit. That is on top of any deposit ordered back.
My Deposit Was Protected. What Can I Do About Deductions?
Use your scheme's free dispute service. It is independent, and your landlord has to show evidence for any deduction.
How Long Do I Have?
Usually up to six years from when the rules were broken, so former tenants can often still claim.
What Does It Cost?
Our service is free to you, with nothing to pay up front and nothing if you lose (see your agreement for terms). If you win, the solicitor's success fee (up to 25% + VAT) comes out of your compensation.
Last updated 15 October 2026. General information for tenants in England only (the rules differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). Not legal advice.
With Free Deposit Check