ask in writing · UK print and post
Get your deposit back starting with a dated letter
Set out the deposit amount you are requesting and the evidence supporting it. Upload your prepared PDF for printing and postage from £1.79. Keep the letter and correspondence; posting alone does not establish when your landlord received the request.
Keep a clear record of your request
Save your request, any reply and the evidence about the property and deposit. Use the contact method required by your agreement or scheme. A print-provider acceptance, postal handoff and delivery are different events; see our guide to posting records. Emails and messages may also form part of your records.
What your deposit letter should include
The deposit request checklist
- The property address and your tenancy dates
- The deposit amount and, if you know it, the scheme holding it
- The amount you expect back, and why any proposed deductions are wrong
- A requested response date that fits the applicable process
- The next step you are considering, after checking the scheme's procedure
Attach the evidence that does the arguing: check-out inventory, dated photos, receipts. Sign it, save it as one PDF, keep a copy.
How PostOwl sends it
Upload your signed PDF, type the landlord or agent’s address, choose first or second class, and pay by card or Apple Pay. No account, no subscription. Check the current collection information before ordering. Production acceptance and postal handoff are separate stages. A one-page letter costs £1.79 second class or £2.69 first class, and your PDF is permanently deleted after dispatch.
If the deadline passes
Contact your scheme promptly: its time limits and process for an uncontactable landlord matter. Both parties must agree to use its alternative dispute resolution service. Start with the official dispute guidance and check the protection rules for your tenancy. Sources checked: 16 September 2026. If you are considering court action, get advice about the relevant procedure before preparing a letter before action. Still living in the property? Read how to ask your landlord for repairs.
Tenancy deposit FAQs
How long does a landlord have to return my deposit?
GOV.UK says the deposit must be returned within 10 days of both parties agreeing the amount. That is different from the date you post a request. Check the rules for your tenancy, jurisdiction and deposit scheme if the amount is disputed.
Can my landlord just keep part of it for cleaning or damage?
Ask for an itemised explanation and supporting evidence. Keep inventories, photos, correspondence and any other relevant records. Contact your deposit scheme about its dispute process and deadlines; a posted letter does not determine the outcome.
What if my deposit was never protected?
Check whether protection was required for your tenancy and jurisdiction, then seek advice about the appropriate next step. Do not assume the same rules apply across the UK. GOV.UK explains deposit protection and possible court action; Citizens Advice or Shelter can help with your circumstances.
My landlord is ignoring me. What next?
Contact the deposit scheme promptly and ask about its procedure for an uncontactable landlord. GOV.UK says both parties must agree to use alternative dispute resolution, and there may be a deadline to raise a dispute. Get advice if the scheme cannot resolve the issue rather than assuming posting a letter starts a court or scheme deadline.
Prepare your deposit request
Send it now from £1.79This page is general information, not legal advice. Deposit rules depend on the tenancy and jurisdiction. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate schemes. PostOwl is an independent printing and posting service.