Deposit Deduction Dispute Letter

Deposit Deduction Dispute Letter

This professionally drafted template is part of the Tenant Legal Toolkit from The Landlord Association (TLA). It has been created to help tenants formally challenge unfair or excessive deductions from their tenancy deposit, with legal references to strengthen your claim.

📌 Purpose & Use Case

This document is used when a tenant disagrees with proposed deposit deductions made by their landlord or letting agent at the end of a tenancy. It provides a structured and assertive response that references the relevant UK legislation and requests either clarification, evidence, or a full refund. It's ideal for:

• Responding to unsubstantiated cleaning or damage claims
• Challenging deductions that exceed fair wear and tear
• Initiating dispute resolution via the deposit protection scheme
• Setting the tone for a potential small claims court case

👤 Who Should Use This Document?

• Tenants who believe their landlord has made unfair deductions
• Tenant support advocates and legal advisers
• Students, professionals, and families renting in the UK
• Agents or third parties assisting with dispute resolution

📅 When Should It Be Used?

Use this document immediately after receiving notice of proposed deductions or a final statement from your landlord. It’s most effective when sent before submitting a dispute through your deposit scheme (e.g. TDS, DPS, or MyDeposits), but can also accompany your formal evidence during the dispute process.

🔗 Additional Support

Need guidance on how to submit your evidence? Visit the

Legal Support Hub
to access our checklists, evidence builder, and tenant advocacy support.

All legal templates are updated regularly by The Landlord Association to reflect current UK tenancy legislation. To view more resources, visit the Member Downloads Page