Deposit Return Dispute Checker
Answer a few questions to find out what deposit deductions you can challenge and how to go about it.
Disclaimer
About this tool — how it works
This checker walks through your deposit situation: whether the deposit was protected in a government-approved scheme, whether deductions have been proposed, which of six common deduction types apply — cleaning, damage, redecoration, missing inventory items, gardening, and unpaid rent — and whether you have a written itemised breakdown and dated move-in photos. For each charged item, it asks whether you think it is fair wear and tear or was not recorded on the check-in inventory, flagging that item as challengeable if either is true. It also produces a simple points-based “case strength” rating — Strong, Moderate, or Weaker — from your protection status, breakdown, photos, and challengeable items, and lists next steps such as writing to your landlord, using the free scheme adjudication service, or the small claims court.
The case-strength score is a rough points count, not a legal assessment: it cannot read your tenancy agreement, inspect your photos or inventory, or weigh conflicting accounts. It applies general rules of thumb about what landlords can fairly charge for, rather than deciding your specific dispute.
Where your deposit appears not to have been protected, the tool flags this as a separate, potentially serious claim but does not calculate any compensation figure or pursue it for you. Use the result to organise your evidence and understand your options, then follow the linked guides, use your scheme’s free adjudication service, or get advice from Shelter, Citizens Advice, or a housing solicitor for anything complex.
Frequently asked questions
What does the deposit dispute checker actually assess?
It asks whether your deposit was protected in a government-approved scheme, whether your landlord has proposed deductions, which of six common categories they cover — cleaning, damage, redecoration, missing inventory items, gardening, and rent arrears — and whether you have a written itemised breakdown and dated move-in photos.
How is the "case strength" score worked out?
It is a simple points total, not a legal assessment: one point if your deposit was protected, one point if you have an itemised breakdown, two points if you have move-in photos, and one point if at least one charged item looks challengeable. Four or more points shows as "Strong", two or three as "Moderate", and below that as "Weaker".
How does it decide whether a deduction can be challenged?
An item is flagged as challengeable if you say it is fair wear and tear or an unreasonable charge, or if you say the issue was not recorded on the move-in inventory. It applies your own answers against short notes on what landlords can and cannot fairly charge for — it does not review your tenancy agreement or evidence itself.
What if my deposit was never protected?
If you say it was not protected within 30 days, the tool flags this as a separate, serious issue — you may be able to claim one to three times the deposit in court on top of getting it back, without needing to go through the tenancy deposit scheme first. This is treated as a prompt to seek advice, not a guarantee of the outcome.