Cleaning and Unpaid Rent are Leading Causes of Deposit Deductions

A survey by tenancy deposit protection scheme my|deposits has found that cleaning costs and

unpaid rent are the top reasons why deposit money is withheld when a tenant moves out.

my|deposits surveyed 696 landlords and letting agents asking them the main reasons why they withhold deposit money at the end of a tenancy. 

Of those who did keep some of the deposit, 78 per cent reported the most common reason was to pay for cleaning after the tenant had left.  Unpaid rent was also a major cause for withholding the deposit.

Damage to property, furniture and carpets were other key reasons why tenants didn’t receive all of their money back.

Eddie Hooker, CEO of my|deposits, commented: 

“Tenants can avoid having any of the deposit withheld by ensuring the property is clean, any damage is repaired, and the rent is paid up to the day they move out.  But general wear and tear should also be taken into account by landlords and agents.

“It is important they meet with their landlord or agent when moving out, inspect the property together, and then come to an agreement over the return of the deposit.

“It’s worth noting that less than two per cent of tenancies end in a dispute over the deposit.  With my|deposits, the landlord and tenant have the great advantage of being able to come to an agreement on the spot about the return of the deposit without involving us, enabling the money to be handed back immediately when the tenant most needs it.”

The my|deposits ‘Wear and Tear Guide for Landlords’ and ‘Your Guide to Deposits, Disputes and Damages’ can be found at https://www.mydeposits.co.uk/landlords/resources-and-guides/guides

For more information about my|deposits and tenancy deposits, or to join the scheme, visit www.mydeposits.co.uk or call 0844 980 0290.