Going to court
Claiming in the County Court
If your landlord does not settle after a letter before action, you can ask the County Court to award the deposit and the 1x–3x penalty.
Steps
- Send a letter before action and allow 14 days.
- Prepare a witness statement with your evidence.
- Issue the claim at the County Court (deposit claims are commonly brought under the CPR Part 8 procedure).
- Pay the court fee, or apply for Help with Fees if you are on a low income.
- Serve the claim on the landlord and attend the hearing.
Costs
Court fees depend on the claim value — check the current fee list on GOV.UK. Many claims settle before a hearing once the landlord sees the evidence.
When to get a solicitor
Larger claims, multiple tenancies or disputed facts may benefit from legal representation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a solicitor to go to court?
No. Many tenants bring deposit claims themselves.
How long does a claim take?
It varies by court, typically several months from issue to hearing, though many settle sooner.
How much could you claim?
Use the free calculator to estimate your compensation and generate a letter before action.
Open the calculator