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The landlord pulled out after I paid a holding deposit. Can the agent keep it because I never moved in?Beta*

Finding a home and applying
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Private renting in England since the Renters' Rights Act 2025, unless the question says otherwise. General information, not legal advice.

No. A holding deposit can be at most one week's rent. If the landlord decides not to go ahead, it must be refunded in full within 7 days. It can only be kept if you gave false information, failed a Right to Rent check, pulled out yourself, or didn't take reasonable steps to agree the tenancy by the deadline (normally 15 days). "You didn't move in" is not one of those reasons. Ask for it back in writing, giving a 7-day deadline. If it isn't paid, complain to the agent's redress scheme or make a small claim. Shelter has a letter template for exactly this.

On this site: Template letters · Money Claim Online workspace

Sources: Shelter: getting a holding deposit backGOV.UK: Tenant Fees Act guidance

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Savvy Renter — savvyrenter.co.uk · free tools for renters. Answers checked 15 October 2026. The full list is also published as faq.json.
* Beta: new page, not yet reviewed by a housing adviser. General information, not legal advice.