BOSS: Landlord From Hell
Lesson 13 of 13 in our free Housing & Renting guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.
Shown for England. Some rules here are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: the lesson shows your nation's version.
This lesson is in the full version.
Free with a code from your uni, college, council, landlord or employer (worth £600/year). Lesson 1 of Housing & Renting is free for everyone.
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Questions you'll answer
Final boss: after you complained, your landlord finally protected your deposit in a scheme. At move-out he refuses to return it and won't reply. What's your move?
Quick facts
- Red flag: “Please pay a deposit of 8 weeks' rent” — Over the 5-week cap (for annual rent under £50,000).
- Red flag: “plus a £250 move-in admin fee” — Admin fees are banned under the Tenant Fees Act.
- Red flag: “I'll hold the deposit personally — no need for a scheme” — Deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days.
- Red flag: “Boiler repairs are the tenants' responsibility” — Heating and hot water are the landlord's legal responsibility.
- Fact: “At £130 a week, the maximum deposit in England is £650.” — 5 weeks × £130 = £650.
- Myth: “On a joint tenancy, you're only responsible for your own share of the rent.” — Joint and several liability: you can be chased for the whole rent.
- Myth: “Fair wear and tear can be deducted from your deposit.” — Only damage, extra cleaning or unpaid rent.
- Fact: “In Wales, most renters now have 'occupation contracts'.” — Wales changed its system under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act. Each nation is different.