Tenancy Deposit Return Demand
Demand the return of your tenancy deposit under the Housing Act 2004 after your tenancy ends.
When to use this template
Use this letter when your landlord has failed to return your deposit within 10 days of you agreeing the deductions (or within 10 days of the end of your tenancy if no deductions are agreed), or when you believe the proposed deductions are unjustified.
When NOT to use this template
If your deposit is in a government-approved scheme and you dispute the deductions, the scheme's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process is usually faster and cheaper than court. Use this letter to put your position in writing before using ADR or as a preliminary step before a court claim.
Legal Basis
Housing Act 2004, ss.213–215 (tenancy deposit protection); Localism Act 2011 (amendments). Landlords must protect deposits within 30 days of receipt. Failure to protect entitles the tenant to a penalty of 1–3 times the deposit amount plus return of the deposit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Not checking which deposit protection scheme holds your deposit — you can check DPS, MyDeposits, and TDS online
- ✗Missing the ADR deadline — each scheme has its own time limit after the tenancy ends
- ✗Accepting partial deductions without disputing them in writing, which may be taken as agreement
- ✗Not having photographic evidence of the property's condition at check-out to counter unfair deductions
Build Your Letter
Fill in your details
Complete the fields below. Required fields are marked with *.
Optional fields
Letter preview
[YOUR FULL NAME] [YOUR FORWARDING ADDRESS (NEW ADDRESS)] [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS] [DATE OF LETTER] [LANDLORD'S NAME] [LANDLORD'S ADDRESS] --- Dear [LANDLORD'S NAME], **FORMAL DEMAND FOR RETURN OF TENANCY DEPOSIT — [FORMER RENTAL PROPERTY ADDRESS]** I write regarding the tenancy deposit paid at the commencement of my tenancy at the above address, which ended on [DATE TENANCY ENDED]. **Deposit details** Amount of deposit: £[DEPOSIT AMOUNT (£)] Deposit protection scheme: [DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME NAME] Deposit protection reference number (if known): [DEPOSIT PROTECTION REFERENCE NUMBER] **Current position** My tenancy ended on [DATE TENANCY ENDED]. I vacated the property and returned the keys on [DATE YOU RETURNED THE KEYS]. To date, you have not returned the deposit in full or provided me with a written breakdown of any proposed deductions. [CURRENT POSITION ON DEDUCTIONS] **My position on any deductions** [YOUR RESPONSE TO ANY PROPOSED DEDUCTIONS] **Demand** I formally demand the return of £[AMOUNT YOU ARE DEMANDING BACK (£)] of my deposit within 10 days of the date of this letter. **Consequences of non-payment** If you do not return the deposit as demanded, I will: 1. Initiate a dispute through the [DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME NAME] Alternative Dispute Resolution service. 2. Consider issuing a claim in the County Court for the return of the deposit plus statutory interest. 3. If my deposit was not protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt, claim compensation of between one and three times the deposit amount pursuant to Housing Act 2004, s.214. I trust you will act on this promptly. Yours sincerely, [YOUR FULL NAME]
Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.