# DEPOSIT RETURN DEMAND LETTER
Date: 14 March 2034
Parties: Amelia Reed, Rowan Estates Limited and Northgate Lettings
## 1. Purpose and parties
Amelia Reed writes on 14 March 2034 to Rowan Estates Limited, landlord of Flat 5, 22 Larch Street, Bristol BS2 9QW, copied to managing agent Northgate Lettings. The assured shorthold tenancy dated 1 March 2032 ended on 28 February 2034. Amelia paid a £1,800 deposit, returned all keys on 28 February, and supplied forwarding bank details on 1 March. The Deposit Protection Service custodial reference is DPS-48392017.
## 2. Facts, scope and terms
The check-in inventory dated 1 March 2032 recorded clean carpets, painted walls and a working oven. Amelia's check-out photographs and the independent cleaner's invoice dated 28 February 2034 show equivalent cleanliness, ordinary carpet wear and no oven damage. Rowan proposed £240 for cleaning and £600 for a full carpet replacement on 5 March. Amelia agrees only £120 for a documented oven-door repair, leaving £1,680 due (£1,800 minus £120); the proposed £840 total deductions would leave an unjustified £960 shortfall.
## 3. Process and responsibilities
The requested carpet replacement is not a fair deduction: the carpets were already 30 months old at a tenancy lasting 24 months, and no survey, depreciation calculation or evidence of damage beyond fair wear and tear has been supplied. Amelia encloses the inventory comparison, photographs, cleaner's £180 receipt, oven repair estimate of £120 and correspondence. She invites Rowan to provide any contrary evidence before the scheme adjudicator considers the matter.
## 4. Evidence, records and safeguards
Amelia demands release through the DPS of £1,680 by 28 March 2034, fourteen days after this letter. Rowan may retain £120 only for the agreed repair, and should confirm that amount in the scheme's proposed-distribution response. Amelia does not consent to the £240 cleaning or £600 carpet deductions. Payment to the nominated account is acceptable, but the DPS record must show the itemised position and both parties' agreement.
## 5. Review, escalation and outcome
If the full £1,680 is not released and no properly reasoned response is received by 28 March, Amelia will open a free DPS dispute on 29 March and submit this evidence. She will ask the adjudicator to apply fair wear and tear and avoid betterment, while recognising that the scheme decides on the evidence and its rules. She reserves the right to claim any undisputed balance and reasonable interest in court if ADR does not resolve it.
## 6. Reservations and practical protections
Rowan and Northgate must preserve the tenancy, inventory, photographs, inspection notes, invoices, deposit-protection notices and all communications. Nothing in this demand admits any breach, waives Amelia's rights under the Housing Act 2004 or limits a court's jurisdiction. If the deposit was not protected or prescribed information was not served, Amelia will obtain advice about the statutory remedies rather than asserting an unverified penalty in this letter.
## 7. England and Wales law and completion
This completed fictional letter is governed by the law of England and Wales. Amelia requests written acknowledgement within five working days, sends the letter by email and recorded delivery, and keeps proof of service. The arithmetic is £1,800 deposit less £120 agreed repair = £1,680 requested. Rowan should return any documents containing personal data securely; the parties should use the DPS process first and record any final agreement in writing.