To ask for my deposit back

[thumpingcrook]

I have been renting a room as a lodger Monday to Friday closer to work. I stop work on Thursday and won’t be going back. I’ve told the owner of the house and I’ve paid for all of July but obviously will be leaving on the 19th, wibu to want my deposit back before I leave?

No. A deposit is a deposit. Why would they not return it?
I’m confused as to why it’s a dilemma

Because technically I’m “there” (paid) until July 31, but my thinking is if I return the key on the 19th I should get the deposit back then too, shouldn’t i?

It's unusual in rental arrangements to get your deposit back on the day you leave. Normally there's a bit of time taken to check things over, sort admin etc. and in your case the contract isn't up until the end of July anyway. If your arrangement as a lodger is less formal and the relationship is decent then I can see that they could return your deposit on the same day you leave. The owner wnbu not to take a little longer though.

Is it a refundable deposit? Ask them not us

I think if all bills are paid and you no longer have a key then i cant see why it shouldnt be returned on the 19th. However, the ll might not have access to the money until the end of the month.

There’s not a contract really, I pay £400 a month which has always been paid straightaway. I put down £200 in case of any damage to the room. I’m leaving the area and I’m just worried I won’t get it back.

Do you have a receipt for the deposit?

No, I don’t ... I did transfer it using online banking, though.

By law, your landlord should have placed your deposit in a deposit protection scheme. If he/she didn’t, you are entitled to all of it back.

But it sounds like a very informal arrangement - do you have any paperwork at all to prove you’ve been paying rent?

If not, contact Shelter for advice:

england.shelter.org.uk/get_help

It shouldn't be in the deposit scheme if you are a lodger - there is no tenancy agreement.

Just ask for it.

Sorry, didn’t realise a lodger didn’t count as someone who was renting. And I didn’t realise it was the norm either for a lodger to have to pay a 50% deposit either - apologies, OP.

I suppose what you’re really asking is what can you you do if they refuse to return your deposit, as you have no paperwork stating the payment was for a deposit.

Ive had a lodger before and would return security deposit once I had chance to check the room. Explain that you're leaving and just clarify when the owner plans to return it

I am a LL. I return deposits as soon as all the tenant’s belongings are out of the room and I have checked there is no damage.

deposits tend to take at least a week to come back anyway

in my experience anyway

Was there any responsibility for shared bills or anything that the deposit might need to cover? If not it's reasonable to expect it back as soon as your landlord can check the condition of the room.