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How to Get Your Full Deposit Back (Without the Stress)
If you're moving out and want every penny of your deposit returned, this is exactly what you need to do.
Your deposit is your money. Not your landlord's. Not your letting agent's. Yours. They can only keep part of it if they can prove you've caused damage beyond normal wear and tear.
The problem? Many tenants don't prepare properly — and that's where they lose money. If you follow the steps below carefully, document everything, and return the property in the right condition, you massively increase your chances of getting your full deposit back — without arguments, delays, or disputes.
Make Sure Your Deposit Is Actually Protected
Before you even think about cleaning, check that your deposit is registered with one of the three government-approved schemes in England:
Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
MyDeposits
You can view the different deposit protection scheme sites here : Deposit Protection Service, TDS
The One Thing That Decides Everything: The Inventory
If there is one document that controls your deposit outcome, it's the check-in inventory.
This report describes the condition of the property when you moved in. When you move out, the landlord compares the property against that original record. That's it.
You are not required to return the property in "perfect" condition. You are required to return it in the same condition — allowing for fair wear and tear.
So your entire move-out process should revolve around one question:
Does the property match the check-in inventory?
If it does, you win.
Understand "Fair Wear and Tear" Properly
This is where many disputes start. Fair wear and tear means the natural deterioration of a property through normal, everyday use. Length of tenancy matters too — a two-year tenancy will naturally show more wear than a six-month one.
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Slight carpet flattening in hallways
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Faded paint near windows
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Minor scuffs from furniture
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Light limescale in hard water areas
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Small pin holes from picture hooks
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Large holes in walls from shelving
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Heavy staining on carpets
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Broken fixtures or appliances
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Mould caused by poor ventilation
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Burn marks, pet damage, missing items
Four Weeks Before Moving Out: Start Preparing
Do not leave this until the final weekend.
Take out your original inventory and walk through the property slowly, room by room. Look for marks that weren't there before, stains, damage, missing items, and areas that no longer match the report.
If you spot issues early, you have time to fix them properly:
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Fill small wall holes
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Tighten loose handles
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Replace blown light bulbs
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Redo bathroom sealant
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Touch up paint marks
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Reattach loose fixtures
These small fixes cost very little to do yourself — but can turn into disproportionate deductions if left for your landlord to arrange.
This is also the time to decide whether you're going to clean the property yourself or hire professional end of tenancy cleaners. Be honest with yourself about the scale of the job.
Cleaning Must Match the Check-In Condition
If your inventory says the property was "professionally cleaned" when you moved in, it must be returned to that standard. If it says "clean condition", it needs to be properly clean — not "tidy", not "acceptable".
Here's exactly what landlords and inventory clerks check, room by room:
Kitchen
Inside the oven (racks, grill, cavity roof) · Behind and underneath appliances · Extractor filters · Inside all cupboards · Hob controls and surfaces · Sink and drains
Bathroom
Grout lines · Shower screen edges · Behind the toilet · Sealant around bath · Extractor fan · Limescale around taps and shower head
Carpets & Floors
Specific stains · Pet odours · Burns · Localised marks · Scratches on hard floors
Walls & Windows
Filled holes · Unmatched paint patches · Scuffing beyond light wear · Inside glass · Window tracks and frames · Handles and sills
For a full breakdown of every area, follow our end of tenancy cleaning checklist. It covers every room in detail, ordered by priority.
A Few Days Before: Remove Absolutely Everything
This sounds obvious — but it's one of the most common mistakes. Anything left behind can be charged as removal. Leave nothing.
The Most Important Step: Document Everything
Once the property is fully cleaned and empty, this step is your insurance policy against unfair claims.
Record a slow video walkthrough of the entire property. Open cupboards on camera. Zoom into surfaces. Show the oven interior clearly.
Attend the Check-Out Inspection If You Can
If there's a formal check-out inspection, be there. If something is flagged that you disagree with, you can raise it immediately and on the spot.
If you can't attend, your photos and video become even more critical — they're your only defence against incorrect claims.
When the Tenancy Ends
Once keys are returned and both sides agree on deductions (if any), your deposit must be returned within 10 days. We have a separate and more extensive and detailed breakdown on the timelines and nuances on how long it takes to get your deposit back.
If your landlord proposes deductions:
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Ask for deductions in writing
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Request itemised evidence (photos, invoices, receipts)
3.
Compare everything against the check-in inventory
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Respond calmly and factually
If There's a Dispute
If you can't agree with your landlord, raise a dispute directly through the deposit protection scheme. It's free.
An independent adjudicator reviews the check-in inventory, the check-out report, your photos and the landlord's evidence — then makes a binding decision.
The deposit legally belongs to you unless proven otherwise. Strong documentation wins cases.
The Method: How to Almost Guarantee Your Deposit Back
There's no magic trick. But there is a method. You almost eliminate risk when you follow these six principles:
Getting your full deposit back isn't about arguing better.
It's about preparing better.
If the property matches the check-in condition (accounting for fair wear and tear), and you can prove it with evidence, you put yourself in the strongest possible position. Do it properly, document it properly, and you'll walk away with your deposit intact — and without the stress that so many tenants go through unnecessarily.
Our End of Tenancy Cleaning Comes With a Deposit-Back Guarantee
If your landlord raises any cleaning-related issues during inspection, we come back and fix them and in case we're too busy, there's a list of alternative companies you can use for end of tenancy cleaning if necessary that we've ranked for you.
Deni is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in content marketing and vast knowledge in the cleaning business. He specializes in creating engaging content that drives growth and builds brand identity. Passionate about innovation, Deni believes in delivering value through impactful messaging and providing value to readers in a concise and comprehensive manner.
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