No win no fee vs doing it yourself: which is better for a deposit claim?
A no-win-no-fee solicitor takes a slice of your compensation; doing it yourself means you keep all of it but do the filing. Here's the honest trade-off so you can pick the right route.
The short answer
A no-win-no-fee tenancy deposit claim usually costs you nothing upfront, but the firm keeps a share of whatever you win — commonly around 25%. Doing it yourself means you keep 100% of the award and pay only a small flat fee for the paperwork, but you send the letter, file the claim, and carry the court fee and costs risk. If your claim is strong and well-evidenced, DIY leaves far more money in your pocket. If you want it fully hands-off and someone else to carry the risk, no-win-no-fee has its place.
How does no win no fee work for a deposit claim?
Under a no-win-no-fee (conditional fee) arrangement, a solicitor runs your claim and only charges if you win. There are usually no upfront fees, and the firm carries the cost risk if the claim fails. In return they take a success fee out of your compensation. Firms advertising tenancy deposit claims commonly state that you keep a “minimum of 75%”— in other words, they keep up to around a quarter. The exact percentage varies by firm, so always read the client-care letter before you sign.
How much does each route actually leave you?
The penalty for an unprotected deposit is between 1× and 3× the deposit per breach. The figures below assume a strong claim paid at the full 3× — awards vary, so treat them as illustration, not a promise.
| Deposit | Award at 3× | No win no fee (keep ~75%) | DIY (keep 100%, less £260 + court fee) |
|---|---|---|---|
| £800 | £2,400 | ~£1,800 (firm keeps ~£600) | £2,400 less £260 and your court fee |
| £1,200 | £3,600 | ~£2,700 (firm keeps ~£900) | £3,600 less £260 and your court fee |
| £2,100 | £6,300 | ~£4,725 (firm keeps ~£1,575) | £6,300 less £260 and your court fee |
On a £2,100 deposit, the 25% success fee is around £1,575. The DIY route costs a flat £260for the claim pack plus the court fee — which the court can order the landlord to repay if you win. The bigger your deposit, the wider that gap gets, because a percentage fee grows with the award while a flat fee does not.
What you give up by doing it yourself
This is the honest part most comparison pages skip. Doing it yourself means:
- You pay the court fee. A deposit penalty claim uses the Part 8 procedure and form N208, which carries a fixed HMCTS fee of several hundred pounds. Help with Fees can cover it if you're on a low income, and a successful claim can have it repaid by the landlord.
- You carry the costs risk.Part 8 claims are not automatically small-claims-track cases, so if a claim fails there can be a risk of contributing to the landlord's costs. This is why a weak claim shouldn't be filed — and why our assessment is deliberately honest about weaker cases.
- You do the steps. You send the letter before action, file the N208 and evidence, and deal with the court. A prepared pack turns this into form-filling rather than legal drafting, but it is still your name on the claim.
Which route suits you?
- DIY (keep 100%) suits you ifyour claim is clear-cut — the deposit was never protected, or protected late, and you have the paperwork — and you're comfortable sending a letter and filing a form to keep the full award.
- No win no fee suits you ifyou want it entirely hands-off, prefer someone else to carry the cost risk, or your case is borderline and you'd rather a firm decide whether it's worth running.
How My Deposit Claim works
We're not solicitors and not a no-win-no-fee firm — we prepare the documents and you stay in control. Check free in 60 seconds; get a written assessment of your claim's strength for £9.98; and if it's worth pursuing, our £260 pack prepares your letter before action, N208 and evidence bundle with a plain-English filing guide. We take no percentage of your award — you keep every pound the court gives you.
Frequently asked questions
How much do no-win-no-fee deposit claim solicitors charge?
Typically up to around 25% of your compensation — firms often phrase it as “you keep a minimum of 75%”. The rate varies, so check the client-care letter. See a full breakdown of solicitor costs.
Do I really keep 100% if I do it myself?
Yes — the full award is yours. You pay only the £260 pack and the court fee (which a winning claim can have repaid by the landlord). No one takes a percentage.
Is doing it yourself risky?
Any court claim carries risk. Because Part 8 isn't automatically a small-claims case, a failed claim can carry a costs risk — which is exactly why we assess your case honestly first and don't encourage weak claims.
Can I still claim after moving out?
Usually yes — you generally have up to six years from the breach.
Think your deposit wasn't protected?
Check free in 60 seconds — then get a written assessment of your claim for £9.98.
This guide is general information about the law in England, not legal advice, and does not guarantee any outcome. My Deposit Claim is an unregulated legal-services provider offering assessments and document preparation — not a firm of solicitors and not an FCA-authorised claims management company. You send and file your own documents. For independent advice, contact Citizens Advice or Shelter.