How to Get Your Student Tenancy Deposit Back | MyDeposits Step-by-Step Guide

💡 What Is a Tenancy Deposit?

A tenancy deposit (also called a security deposit) is the money you pay at the start of your tenancy to cover potential damages, cleaning, or unpaid rent. At Student Housing, we ensure all deposits are protected in the MyDeposits custodial scheme — a government-approved tenancy deposit protection (TDP) scheme.

This means your deposit is held independently and returned fairly at the end of your tenancy, either in full or minus agreed deductions.

✅ Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Deposit Back from MyDeposits

🏁 Step 1: Make Sure the Tenancy Has Ended

Before you can request your student deposit back:

Everyone on the tenancy (in shared houses) must have moved out
All keys must be returned to Student Housing
The property should be clean, empty, and damage-free
Take dated photos of each room for your records before you leave

If you’re in a joint tenancy, the deposit return won’t begin until all tenants have moved out and handed in their keys.

🔐 Step 2: Log in to MyDeposits

Visit 👉 https://www.mydeposits.co.uk/tenants/

Use the email address linked to your tenancy. If you haven’t logged in before, click “Sign up here” to access your account.

We'll have already registered your deposit against your email address, once you create your account your deposit will automatically show on your account.

📤 Step 3: Submit a Repayment Request

Once your tenancy deposit appears in your MyDeposits dashboard:

Click “Request Repayment”
Confirm your details and bank account
Propose the amount you’d like returned (usually 100% - Unless you have rent arrears or agreed charges)

This alerts the landlord that they need to respond to your request for the deposit to be returned, We'll also get an email and advise the landlord they need to make a decision.

💬 Step 4: The Landlord Responds with Proposed Deductions

The landlord will respond to your request directly, they might suggest deductions for things like:

Cleaning
Damage
Missing items
Rent arrears

⚠️ Note: Student Housing does not decide on deductions. These are suggested by the landlord and must be supported with evidence.

✍️ Step 5: Accept or Dispute the Proposal

After the landlord responds:

Accept the amount if you agree
Dispute if you feel the deductions are unfair

This will trigger MyDeposits’ free Dispute Resolution Service, where an independent adjudicator will review the evidence and make a final decision.

⚠️ Note: The vast majority of tenants get 100% of their deposit back, however if your landlord has requested deductions, remember this is only a request, you have the right to refuse their request and seek negotiation

🧠 Tips for Negotiating Tenancy Deposit Deductions

If you disagree with proposed deductions, follow these tips to get the maximum deposit back:

1. Ask for Evidence

You’re entitled to see:

The check-out report
- We complete full inventory, inspection and checkout reports throughout the year, ask your property manager for copies and we'll happily provide any evidence you need to support your claim.
Photos of any issues
- We keep all the photos, everything from during your tenancy such as maintenance requests etc, so if you need any evidence, please reach out to us and we'll be happy to supply it.
Invoices or quotes
- If you think the landlord is exaggerating a cost or overcharging, ask us for comparison quotes, we'll supply you with any information you need to support your dispute.

2. Share Your Own Evidence

Submit:

Your check-out photos
Proof of cleaning
Notes or emails showing you reported prior damage

3. Be Reasonable

If some minor issues genuinely occurred, consider negotiating a partial deduction. You can offer a partial settlement due to the age or condition of an item. For example if you've damaged the carpet but it wasn't new when you moved in, offer a % of the value of replacement due to the existing condition of the carpet.