If the landlord wishes to withhold some or all of the deposit, they should tell you as soon as possible after the tenancy has ended. The parties should discuss the matter to reach agreement on how the deposit is to be split. Most disputes are resolved informally in this way. If the deposit is protected with TDS Insured and the deposit has not been returned to the tenant within 10 days of the tenant asking for it , any of the parties can ask TDS to resolve the dispute.