When you take a room, a landlord will usually ask for rent and often a deposit. Knowing what is normal, and what your money is for, helps you avoid problems and spot anyone trying it on.
What a deposit is for
A deposit is money you pay at the start that the landlord holds in case of damage or unpaid rent. If you leave the room in good order and owe nothing, you should get it back. It is not a fee, and it is not the landlord's to keep without a reason.
Deposit protection
If you rent under an assured shorthold tenancy, your deposit usually has to be protected in a government backed scheme, and the landlord must tell you which one. Some room lets and licences work differently, so ask how your deposit is held and get it in writing. Shelter can help you check where you stand.
Rent in advance
Some landlords ask for a month of rent in advance as well as a deposit. That is common, but be clear about the total you are paying and what it covers. Never pay before you have seen the room and have a written agreement. Our guide on how to avoid housing scams explains the warning signs.
Protect your money
- •Get a receipt for anything you pay.
- •Ask how your deposit is protected and keep the details.
- •Take dated photos of the room when you move in and out.
- •Keep your agreement and any messages in one place.
If there is a dispute
If a landlord will not return a deposit you think you are owed, get advice. Where a deposit is in a protection scheme, that scheme can help resolve a dispute. Our guide on your rights as a licensee explains where else to turn.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so check official guidance or speak to an advice organisation.