Deductions you disagree with
Cleaning fees, vague "damage", charges with no receipts — we help you challenge the ones that don't add up.
Get your security deposit back.
Your landlord has your money — and a lot of excuses. Forward us the emails. We'll read them, write back firmly and politely, and help you get back what you're owed.
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app.ordealing.com/case/deposit-2026
Deposit — Maple Court flat
Opened May 25 · $1,200 held
Overview Reply Chat
What this is about
Your landlord is holding the full $1,200 deposit, citing "cleaning" and "carpet wear" — with no receipts attached. They had 14 days to itemise the deductions, and that window closed on May 28.
Maple Court LettingsMay 24
We'll be retaining the deposit for cleaning and damages.
YouMay 25
Asked for an itemised breakdown with receipts.
Maple Court LettingsMay 27
Replied — still no figures, no receipts attached.
How it works
From "we're keeping it" to "here's your refund."
1
Forward the emails
Send us your move-out emails, the deposit demand, and anything the landlord has replied with.
2
We break down their excuses
We read the itemised deductions and explain, in plain English, what's reasonable and what isn't.
3
We write your demand
A firm, polite letter asking for your money back. You approve it, and we send it from your case address.
4
We track the deadline
Deposit rules give landlords a fixed window. We watch the clock and nudge you when it's time to escalate.
What we help with
The arguments landlords use — answered.
Returned late, or not at all
There are deadlines. We know the one for your case and hold the landlord to it.
Wear and tear vs. damage
The argument landlords lean on most. We help you make the case that it's normal use.
When they ignore you
We help you escalate — a deposit-scheme dispute, a letter before action, or small claims.
The reply
Firm where it counts. Polite throughout.
We draft a clear demand, grounded in your own emails — citing the rules and setting a deadline. The kind of letter that gets things resolved without a fight. You read it, adjust the tone, and send.
- Grounded in your actual emails and the figures involved
- Sets a clear deadline to act
- Ready to escalate if they don't respond
app.ordealing.com/case/deposit-2026
Your reply, drafted for you
Review and tweak the tone before it sends
Dear Maple Court Lettings,
Thank you for your message. To agree to any deduction I'll need an itemised list with receipts, as the tenancy agreement requires.
As the 14-day window to provide this has now passed, please confirm by Friday that the $1,200 deposit will be returned in full.
Professional Firm but polite
Save draft Send reply
Questions
Deposit questions, answered.
How long does my landlord have to return my deposit?
It depends on where you live — many places set a fixed window of a few weeks after you move out. When you open your case, we identify the deadline that applies to you and keep an eye on it, so you know the moment a landlord is late.
Can my landlord charge me for normal wear and tear?
Usually not. Everyday wear — faded paint, small scuffs, carpet worn from normal use — generally isn't yours to pay for. Real damage can be. We help you tell the two apart and push back on charges that don't hold up.
What if my deposit was never protected?
In some places landlords must protect your deposit in an approved scheme, and failing to can carry penalties in your favour. If that applies to your case, we'll flag it and factor it into your reply.
What can I do if they just ignore me?
You have options beyond waiting — a formal letter before action, a deposit-scheme dispute, or a small-claims filing. We help you take the next step at the right time.
Ordealing helps you understand and respond to your dispute. We're not a law firm and this isn't legal advice.
More ways we help
Stuck on something else?
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