How much do tenancy deposit claim solicitors charge?

The short answer

Tenancy deposit claim solicitors typically charge on a no-win-no-fee basis and keep around 25%of the compensation you win. You'll often see this advertised as “you keep a minimum of 75%”. There are usually no upfront fees, and the firm carries the risk if the claim fails — that success fee is what you pay for that convenience and protection.

How the fee is worded

Firms rarely lead with the word “25%”. Instead they say you “keep a minimum of 75%”, which is the same thing from the other direction. The precise figure varies between firms and can depend on how the case resolves, so the number that matters is the one in the client-care letter or conditional fee agreement you sign. Read that before committing, and check whether anything else (for example an insurance premium) could come out of your award.

What that costs in real money

The penalty for an unprotected deposit is 1× to 3× the deposit per breach. At a 25% success fee, here's what a strong claim paid at 3× hands to the solicitor:

• £800 deposit → £2,400 award → solicitor keeps ~£600
• £1,200 deposit → £3,600 award → solicitor keeps ~£900
• £2,100 deposit → £6,300 award → solicitor keeps ~£1,575

Because the fee is a percentage, the more you win, the more it costs you. Awards vary case to case, so treat these as illustration rather than a guarantee.

Is a solicitor worth it?

Sometimes. If your case is borderline, or you want it completely hands-off with someone else carrying the cost risk, paying a success fee can be worth it. But a deposit protection claim is largely a records question— either compliant scheme certificates with the right dates exist, or they don't. For a clear-cut claim, much of the work is gathering evidence and filing the right form, which is very doable yourself.

The cheaper alternative: keep 100%

You don't have to give up a quarter of your compensation. With a prepared claim pack you can run the claim yourself and keep the full award. We're not solicitors and not a no-win-no-fee firm — we check your claim free, assess its strength for £9.98, and (if it's worth pursuing) prepare your letter before action, N208 and evidence bundle for a flat £260, with a plain-English filing guide. You send and file the documents; we take no percentage of your award. Just remember the honest trade-off: doing it yourself means you pay the court fee and carry the costs risk of a Part 8 claim.

Frequently asked questions

Do deposit claim solicitors charge upfront?

Usually no — no-win-no-fee means no upfront fee, with the solicitor's cut taken from your compensation only if you win.

What percentage do they take?

Commonly around 25% (“you keep a minimum of 75%”), though it varies by firm and case. Always check the client-care letter.

How much does it cost to claim yourself?

A flat £260 for the claim pack, plus the court's fixed N208 fee (several hundred pounds, which a winning claim can have repaid by the landlord). See the N208 court process.

How much could my claim be worth?

Between 1× and 3× the deposit per breach, and renewals can multiply it. Here's how courts decide the amount.