What are the benefits of flatfair No Deposit?

The main benefit of flatfair No Deposit is that you can move into an eligible home without paying a traditional cash deposit.

Instead, you pay a smaller, one-off service fee and keep more of your money available for moving costs, furniture, bills, savings or other expenses.

The fee is not refundable and does not pay for any rent or end-of-tenancy charges you may owe.

What are the main benefits of No Deposit?

Lower upfront moving costs

A traditional cash deposit can require a large payment before you move in.

The No Deposit joining fee is considerably smaller, reducing the amount you need to pay upfront. Your invitation shows the exact fee for your tenancy so that you can compare it with the cash-deposit option offered by your agent.

Keep more of your money available

Because you do not provide a traditional cash deposit, you do not have a large amount of money held for the duration of the tenancy.

You can keep that money available for other costs or savings.

Avoid overlapping cash deposits

When moving between rented properties, you may need to provide a new cash deposit before the deposit from your previous home has been returned.

No Deposit can help you avoid this situation because there is no new cash deposit to pay for the participating tenancy.

A simpler move-in payment

No Deposit removes the need to arrange a large cash-deposit payment.

You must still complete any required referencing, identity, payment and registration steps. Your letting agent remains responsible for confirming when the tenancy can begin and when keys can be released.

Only pay an end-of-tenancy charge if one is established

You do not pay money upfront to cover possible future damage or unpaid rent.

If your landlord or letting agent proposes a charge when the tenancy ends, they must submit the charge and supporting evidence through flatfair. You can review the charge, respond with your own evidence and either accept, negotiate or dispute it.

You are only required to pay a charge that becomes established through acceptance, agreement, adjudication or another process allowed by the No Deposit terms.

Your responsibility may include an amount owed by another tenant if your tenancy agreement makes you jointly and severally liable.

No cash deposit to wait for at the end

There is no cash deposit to be returned when a No Deposit tenancy ends.

If there are no proposed charges, there is no deposit-release process to wait for. Your original joining fee is not returned because it was a service fee rather than money held on your behalf.

A clear end-of-tenancy charges process

If a charge is proposed, you can:

• review the amount and supporting evidence;
• accept the charge;
• make a counter-proposal;
• provide your own evidence; or
• dispute an eligible unresolved charge.

If you and the landlord cannot agree, an eligible case can be referred for independent adjudication. The adjudicator considers evidence from both sides and decides what, if anything, is owed.

An adjudication fee may apply. Your account and the current terms explain the amount and whether it can be refunded.

How does No Deposit compare with a cash deposit?

With No Deposit:

• you make a smaller upfront payment;
• the joining fee is not refundable;
• no cash deposit is held for the duration of the tenancy; and
• you pay any established charges separately if they arise.

With a traditional cash deposit:

• you provide a larger amount upfront;
• the deposit is protected during the tenancy;
• agreed or established deductions may be taken from it; and
• the remaining amount is refundable at the end.

Consider both the upfront cost and the fact that a traditional cash deposit may be returned before deciding which option is right for you.

What does No Deposit not cover?

No Deposit does not pay your rent or end-of-tenancy charges for you.

You remain responsible for:

• paying rent in full and on time;
• looking after the property;
• following your tenancy agreement;
• paying valid charges for which you are responsible; and
• responding to an end-of-tenancy case within the stated deadlines.

Is the No Deposit fee refundable?

The fee is non-refundable once the service has started. It is not held in your name and cannot be used towards rent, damage or another amount you owe.

Limited cancellation rights may apply before the tenancy or service starts. Check the cancellation information and terms provided at checkout.

Is No Deposit insurance?

No. No Deposit is a protection service and is not insurance for you, your landlord or your letting agent.