Landlord Keeping Your Deposit? Challenge Unfair Deductions or Claim 1x–3x Compensation
Landlords cannot charge for compulsory professional cleaning, fair wear and tear, or 'new-for-old' replacements—and if they protected your deposit late, they owe you up to 3x your deposit in compensation.
🧮 Tenancy Deposit Deduction & 1x–3x Penalty Calculator
Instant UK Statutory Assessment
Complete or adjust the fields above to calculate your exact UK statutory position, compensation estimate, or limitation deadline.
⚖️ UK Statutory Position Across Jurisdictions
🏴 England & Wales Statutory Authority
Housing Act 2004 ss.212–215 (30 calendar days to protect & serve Prescribed Information; 1x–3x penalty in County Court) & Tenant Fees Act 2019 (bans compulsory professional cleaning fees)
🏴 Scotland Statutory Authority
Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (30 working days to lodge deposit; up to 3x penalty via free application to First-tier Tribunal for Scotland)
🇬🇧 Northern Ireland Statutory Authority
Tenancy Deposit Schemes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (28 days to protect deposit and 35 days to serve certificate)
🏛️ Primary Resolution Forum & Limitation Deadline
Forum: Free Deposit Scheme ADR (TDS / DPS / MyDeposits) or County Court (Part 8 Claim for 1x–3x penalty)
Time Limit: Landlord has 30 days from payment to protect deposit; tenant has 6 years under Limitation Act 1980 to claim compensation
Time Limit: Landlord has 30 days from payment to protect deposit; tenant has 6 years under Limitation Act 1980 to claim compensation
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Housing & Property)
Can my landlord charge me for a professional clean when I move out?
No. Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords and letting agents in England cannot require tenants to pay for professional cleaning services at the end of a tenancy. You only need to leave the property to the same standard of cleanliness recorded on your check-in inventory.
How much compensation can I claim if my deposit wasn't protected within 30 days?
Under Section 214 of the Housing Act 2004, the court must order the landlord to pay you between 1 and 3 times the value of your deposit in compensation, in addition to returning the original deposit.