Guides › Rent and Deposits › Holding Deposit Not Returned
Holding Deposit Not Returned
A holding deposit can be no more than one week's rent. The landlord can hold it for 15 days unless you both agree a different period in writing. If they keep it, they must tell you why in writing within 7 days. You should get it back unless, for example, you gave false information, changed your mind or failed a Right to Rent check.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Holding Deposit Rules
The Cap and Deadline
The maximum holding deposit is one week's rent. Your landlord can hold it for 15 days, unless you both agree a different period in writing. If it is returned, it must be within 7 days, or with your agreement put towards the first month's rent or the tenancy deposit. source
When It Can Be Kept
You should get it back unless you give false or misleading information to try to get the tenancy, change your mind and decide not to rent, do not reply to requests for information, documents or action, or fail a Right to Rent check. If it is kept, you must be told why in writing within 7 days. source
Challenging It
Who to Contact
If you get no decision within 7 days, no written decision, or you disagree with the reasons, you can report it to your local council or apply to the First-tier Tribunal. source
Claiming Back a Banned Fee
If you have paid a banned fee you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal for losses, or the council (trading standards / weights and measures authority) can require repayment; first-offence penalties go up to 5,000 pounds and repeat breaches up to 30,000 pounds or prosecution. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 15 daysLandlord can hold a holding depositUnless you agree another period in writing
- 7 daysReturn the holding deposit, or give reasons in writingIf it is kept
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Find what you paid, when, and any agreement about the deadline.
Step 2 of 5
Write to the landlord or agent asking for the holding deposit back, quoting the 7-day rule. Our free letter templates can write it for you.
Step 3 of 5
If they keep it, ask for the written reasons they must give.
Step 4 of 5
If you disagree, or hear nothing, report it to your local council (Trading Standards).
Step 5 of 5
You can also apply to the First-tier Tribunal. Shelter or Citizens Advice can help.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
First-Tier Tribunal / Local Council Trading Standards (Tenant Fees)
You were charged a prohibited fee or an excessive deposit.
Shelter England
Free advice on deposit claims and eviction notices.
Citizens Advice
Free advice on any renting problem.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Get the deadline for agreement in writing when you pay the holding deposit.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/guidance/tenant-fees-act-2019-guidance-for-tenants Checked 13 October 2026
- gov.uk/government/publications/tenant-fees-act-amended-by-the-renters-rights-act-2025/tenant-fees-act-2019-statutory-guidance-for-enforcement-authorities Checked 12 October 2026
- england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/check_your_tenancy_deposit_is_protected/deposit_not_protected Checked 12 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026