Holiday home deposit not returned: how to get your money

For a holiday home or holiday apartment a deposit is often required. After proper return it must be repaid, minus only justified claims for damage actually caused. You do not have to accept flat-rate or groundless retentions for normal signs of use.

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Your chances of getting your money back

You are entitled to a refund of the deposit once no justified claims remain open. Deductions are only permissible for damage actually caused by you, not for normal wear and tear.

The landlord must justify and prove deductions specifically. Good documentation on arrival and departure protects you against unjustified claims.

What you should do now

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1. Document the condition
Photograph the accommodation on arrival and departure: this refutes exaggerated damage claims.
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2. Demand the refund
Demand the deposit back in writing after departure and set a concrete deadline.
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3. Check the deductions
Demand a justification and evidence for every deduction. Normal signs of use are not deductible.
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4. Get your money back
If the landlord does not pay, you can demand the amount; for card payment a chargeback may be considered.

How to spot the scam

Flat-rate 'cleaning' or 'damage' amounts are retained without evidence.
Normal signs of use are billed as damage.
The deposit is not repaid for a long time.

Frequently asked questions

When must the holiday home deposit be repaid?

After proper return and once no justified claims remain, as a rule promptly after departure. Deductions are only permissible for damage actually caused, not for normal wear and tear.

What may the landlord retain?

Only justified claims for damage caused by you or expressly agreed, still open costs. You do not have to accept flat-rate retentions for normal signs of use or retentions without a justification.

How do I get the deposit back?

Demand it back in writing with a deadline and require evidence for any deductions. If the landlord does not pay, you can, if necessary, claim the amount in court; for card payment check a chargeback. Your arrival and departure photos are valuable here.

Take action now

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.