Deposit Return Letter to Your Landlord: Free Template

Your tenancy has ended, the keys are back, and the deposit hasn't appeared. The letter below turns a chase into a formal request — which matters, because it starts a clock: once the amount is agreed, your landlord has 10 days to return it.

[Your full name]

18 August 2026

To: [Landlord / agent name]

Dear [Landlord / agent name],

Re: Return of tenancy deposit — [rental property address]

My tenancy at the above property ended on [date]. I am writing to formally request the return of my deposit of £[amount].

The property was returned clean and in good condition, allowing for fair wear and tear. If you intend to propose any deductions, please send me a full itemised breakdown with evidence within 10 days of this letter.

If we cannot reach agreement, I will raise a dispute through the deposit protection scheme's free resolution service, which holds the disputed amount until the matter is decided.

Please confirm receipt of this letter and the date I can expect the deposit to be returned.

Yours sincerely,

[Your full name]

How deposit return actually works

If you rented on a standard tenancy, your deposit should be in one of three government-approved protection schemes — the DPS, MyDeposits or TDS. The landlord does not hold your money personally (custodial) or holds it insured (insurance-based), and either way the scheme is your safety net.

The sequence the letter sets in motion:

1. You request the deposit back — this letter.
2. The landlord either agrees, and must return the agreed amount within 10 days, or proposes deductions, which should come itemised with evidence: photos, the check-out report against the inventory you signed, invoices.
3. If you disagree with deductions, say so in writing and raise a dispute with the protection scheme. Their resolution service is free, evidence-based, and the disputed amount sits with the scheme until it is decided. Landlords cannot deduct for fair wear and tear — carpets age, walls scuff, and the scheme adjudicators know it.

If the deposit was never protected

Check each of the three schemes' websites — a couple of minutes each with your postcode and surname. If none of them holds it and you had a standard tenancy, the landlord has likely broken the protection rules, which seriously strengthens your position; take advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice before your next step, because compensation may be available through the courts.

When the money does come back, make sure it lands somewhere sensible — what bank details are needed to receive money covers what to hand over safely.

Frequently asked questions

How do I ask my landlord for my deposit back?

In writing: state the property, the tenancy end date, the amount, and ask for its return — with an itemised, evidenced list of any proposed deductions within 10 days. The generator above writes it for you.

How long does a landlord have to return a deposit?

Ten days from agreeing the amount to be returned. The delay people actually experience is the negotiation over deductions before that agreement — which is why a formal letter with a deadline helps.

What can a landlord deduct from a deposit?

Unpaid rent, damage beyond fair wear and tear, missing items, and cleaning back to the check-in standard — all evidenced against the inventory. Not general redecorating, not worn carpets, not their time.

What if my landlord ignores my letter?

Raise a dispute directly with the deposit protection scheme holding your money — you do not need the landlord's cooperation to start it, and the service is free.

General information only, not financial or legal advice. Templates are a starting point — adjust them to your situation, and take advice where the stakes justify it.