Evidence and documents
How to dispute repair charges on your deposit
Repair deductions need itemised invoices, proof the tenant caused the fault, and costs that are not inflated or duplicated. Challenge plumber and contractor bills with check-in records, your own maintenance messages, and quotes showing betterment.
How to challenge landlord repair deductions — inflated plumber bills, boiler call-outs, and contractor invoices with no breakdown or proof you caused the damage.
Repair charges sit behind cleaning as one of the most disputed deposit lines — "boiler service," "blocked drain," "replace tap washer," sometimes with a single round-number invoice and no explanation of cause. Landlords can recover genuine tenant-caused damage, but they cannot charge arbitrary maintenance, pre-existing faults, or full replacement when a minor fix would do.
When a repair charge is more likely to stand
- Clear tenant-caused damage — e.g. smashed window, hole in door you admitted
- Itemised invoice from a legitimate tradesperson linked to that damage
- Check-in records show the item was fine at start; check-out shows new damage
- Cost is proportionate — repair, not unnecessary full replacement
When repair charges are often unfair
- Pre-existing faults you reported during the tenancy
- Wear and age — old appliances failing near end of tenancy
- Round-sum invoice with no line items or tradesperson details
- Betterment — brand-new replacement when repair was possible
- Routine maintenance dressed as tenant damage (annual boiler service)
- Same issue charged twice under different headings
Evidence that weakens repair claims
- 1Messages reporting the fault earlier
Emails about a leaking tap, boiler noise, or damp you flagged — especially if the landlord did not fix it.
- 2Check-in condition
Inventory notes like "radiator rusty," "kitchen tap drips" — undermines claims you caused deterioration.
- 3Move-out photos
Show the area was not newly damaged — or that wear matches length of tenancy.
- 4Your own quotes
A second quote showing the landlord's invoice is inflated or includes unnecessary work.
How to structure your repair dispute response
Treat each repair line separately. Name the amount, say whether you dispute cause, cost, or both, and attach evidence by label.
- Quote the exact repair description and amount
- State if you dispute cause, quantum, or both
- Link to check-in records and maintenance messages
- Challenge missing invoices or vague contractor descriptions
- Offer a reasonable partial figure only if you genuinely accept part
Boiler, plumbing and electrical lines
These categories attract inflated claims because tenants cannot easily verify tradesperson work. Ask for the invoice, engineer report, and photos of the fault. If the landlord claims you "misused" appliances, they need specifics — not a generic service note.
Common questions
They have an invoice — does that automatically win?
No. An invoice shows cost, not cause. You can still dispute whether you were responsible, whether the work was necessary, or whether the price is reasonable.
I accidentally caused minor damage — should I pay the full invoice?
You may owe a fair repair cost, but not betterment. Challenge full replacement prices and ask for itemisation. Partial acceptance can be credible if the amount is fair.
The landlord used their own contractor at premium rates
Argue proportionality. Adjudicators often compare to reasonable market rates. Your own quote or online estimates help if the invoice looks excessive.
Can I dispute repairs if I never had a check-in inventory?
Yes — weak landlord records can help you. See our guide on missing check-in inventories for how to use that in your favour.
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