Cleaning fees are the leading cause of tenancy deposit deductions, according to the results of a new study. In the past two years, almost two-thirds (63%) of renters who lost some of their deposit said cleaning fees were among the reasons given – the highest proportion of any category in the research. Now, tenants are being advised on how to maximise their chances of retaining their deposit.

The figures come from the latest renters survey by Go.Compare home insurance. After cleaning fees, cited by 63% of respondents, property damage and redecoration costs were the next most likely reason deposits were withheld from tenants. Both of these were stated by just over a quarter (26%) of renters in the survey of tenants who have lost some of their deposit in the last couple of years.

Less common reasons included fees for disposing of abandoned items (6%), as well as unpaid rent and missing items, both of which were reasons landlords gave to 4% of renters. A further 2% were told that some of their deposit was retained to cover outstanding bills.

A small number of renters were given more dubious reasons for their deposit being retained. One claimed they were told that the grass wasn’t short enough in the garden, while another said they were charged for missing keys that were never provided in the first place. A few added that they were given no reason whatsoever, while others stated that the reasons were completely fabricated.

The home insurance comparison site said that younger tenants are the most likely to have their deposit withheld. Just under a third (31%) of under-35s who have left a rental property in the last two years said they lost some of their deposit, almost double the percentage of over-54s (12%).

Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Deposit returns can be a source of friction when tenancies come to an end. Clearly, most renters who’ve experienced this feel their money was kept unfairly. If this is the case, it means landlords are wrongfully retaining thousands of pounds of deposits.

“To minimise the chances of losing your deposit, take photos of the property when you first move in and when you leave to show how you left it compared to the start of your tenancy. You can ask your landlord to sign a checkout inventory that covers the condition of the fixtures and fittings. Make sure all outstanding fees for the property have been paid, too.

“If you do lose some of your deposit but feel it’s been kept wrongfully, you can dispute it via your deposit protection scheme. If your deposit wasn’t put in a protection scheme, you’ll need to go to small claims court. Consider going to Citizens Advice before deciding what action to take, as they could help you to assess your circumstances and decide on the best option going forward.”

More information about withheld deposits can be found on Go.Compare’s website.