Making a claim

Student Deposit Not Protected?

If you rented a private student house in England, your deposit usually had to be protected. University halls and some private student blocks are usually not covered.

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30 daysto protect it and give the paperwork
6 yearsgenerally, to claim after you leave
5 weeksrent cap on deposits, halls included

In Short

Private student houses in England are usually let on ordinary tenancies, so the landlord had to protect your deposit within 30 days and give you the prescribed information. Halls let by a university, and since 1 May 2026 student blocks run by members of an approved code, are usually not covered. If you shared on one tenancy, your housemates normally need to be part of the claim. You can usually still claim after graduating, generally within six years.

Covered Or Not Covered?

Usually Covered
  • A student house let by a private landlord
  • A room in a shared house, landlord living elsewhere
  • A student house let through a letting agent
  • A deposit a parent paid for you
Usually Not Covered
  • Halls let by a university or college
  • Student blocks run by approved code members, since May 2026
  • Living in your landlord's home as a lodger

Common Student Situations

Shared With HousematesOn one joint tenancy, everyone normally needs to be part of the claim.
A Parent Paid The DepositThey count as a relevant person. They should have got the paperwork too, and may be able to claim.
Graduated And Moved AwayFormer tenants can still claim, generally within six years of the breach.

Worth Checking If

  • You rented a private student house or flat in England
  • You paid a deposit, or a parent paid it for you
  • You never got scheme paperwork within 30 days
  • You cannot find it in DPS, TDS or mydeposits
  • You moved in less than six years ago

Claiming After You Graduate

  1. Check The SchemesSearch DPS, TDS and mydeposits with the old postcode and your surname.
  2. Find What You HaveA bank statement and your tenancy agreement help. You do not need everything.
  3. Talk To Your HousematesOn a joint tenancy, they normally need to be part of the claim.
  4. A Solicitor Takes It OnThey write to the landlord for you. You do not have to speak to them.

Read More

Shared a house? See joint tenancy deposit claims. Moved out years ago? Read claiming after you move out. Not sure you were covered? See who must protect a deposit. Charged a big deposit? See deposit limits and how much you could get.

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)
  • Present your case to the court
  • Chase your landlord for payment
  • All the risk and work is on you
Calculate What You Could Claim

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

Does My Student Landlord Have To Protect My Deposit?

Usually, if you rent a private student house in England. Halls let by a university, and blocks run by approved code members since May 2026, are usually not covered.

Can I Claim If I Have Graduated And Moved Away?

Usually yes. Former tenants can claim, generally within six years. When the six years starts is not settled, so do not leave it late.

My Parent Paid The Deposit. Who Can Claim?

You can. A parent who paid under an arrangement with you counts as a relevant person and may be able to apply too. A solicitor advises who brings it.

Do All My Housemates Need To Join The Claim?

On a joint tenancy, normally yes. A housemate who will not join is normally added as a defendant instead, unless the court orders otherwise.

Is A Deposit For Halls Capped?

Yes. The five weeks' rent cap also applies to students in halls of residence, as long as the rent is under £50,000 a year.

Keep Reading

Making a claimWhat Is A Tenancy Deposit Claim?Read Making a claimHow Much Could You Get?Read Making a claimDeposit Protected Late? You May Still ClaimRead
Sources

Last updated 16 October 2026. General information for tenants in England only (the rules differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). Not legal advice.

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