At the end of your tenancy, your landlord has the right to propose deductions from your security deposit, but only for specific, evidenced reasons. These typically include damage beyond fair wear and tear, cleaning costs to restore the property to its original standard, replacement of missing items listed on the inventory report, and unpaid rent.
Your landlord can't deduct for fair wear and tear, for damage that existed before you moved in, or for costs that would constitute betterment (leaving the landlord better off than before). Every deduction must be backed by evidence, usually photographs, receipts, or contractor quotes, and compared against the check-in and check-out records. Apportionment applies to items that were already partly through their useful life.
If you disagree with any proposed deduction, you don't have to accept it. Either party can raise a deposit dispute through the scheme's free alternative dispute resolution service, where an independent adjudicator reviews the evidence and makes a binding decision.
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