Whether it is unfair deductions, an unprotected deposit, or a landlord refusing to engage — we help you understand your options in Portsmouth.
Select the situation that best describes your experience to get targeted guidance.
Deposit reduced for unreasonable charges
Learn moreYour deposit was never placed in a scheme
Learn moreDisagreement at check-out
Learn moreCommunication has broken down
Learn moreUnclear on your rights and next steps
Learn moreUnderstand your deposit rights, organise your evidence, and get clear next steps.
A tenancy dispute specialist assesses your case and handles the process. No upfront cost.
You only pay if they recover compensation
Portsmouth has a large and active private rental market driven by the University of Portsmouth and its naval and defence employment base. The city's student rental market — concentrated in Southsea, Fratton, and the city centre — generates regular deposit disputes around cleaning, damage, and wear and tear.
Portsmouth's student rental areas see some of the highest deposit dispute rates in the South. The rapid turnover of student tenancies means that landlords and agents often apply standard deduction lists. The professional rental market around the city centre and Gunwharf Quays creates different issues.
A group of students leaving a Southsea shared house were charged £180 each for cleaning despite having professionally cleaned the property and provided a receipt.
A professional tenant in a Portsmouth city centre apartment discovered their £1,000 deposit had been held by the landlord in a personal account and not protected in an approved scheme.
Portsmouth rental deposits are governed by the same deposit protection legislation as the rest of England. HMO licensing applies in many Portsmouth areas, particularly in student areas.
No. Deposit deductions must be based on the actual condition of the property at the end of the tenancy, not on a standard template. If the agent did not inspect the property or cannot demonstrate that cleaning was actually required, the deduction is not justified.
If your landlord failed to protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt, you can claim a penalty of between 1 and 3 times the deposit amount. This is a statutory penalty under the Housing Act 2004.
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