Frequently asked questions

Yes — but far less than a traditional deposit. Instead of paying up to five weeks' rent upfront, you simply pay a small, affordable fee to get your insurance-backed guarantee in place. This means you can keep your savings intact and move into your new home faster, without the financial stress of a large lump sum.

The fee covers your insurance-backed guarantee for the duration of your tenancy, so it is not refundable once your tenancy begins. The purpose of Skip the Deposit is to free your money from being locked away at the start — giving you the flexibility to use it on what matters most.

This is where Skip the Deposit works differently. Our insurer carries 100% of the deposit risk. This means that unlike some other schemes, you will not face post-tenancy debt recovery or be pursued by a third party after a claim is made. At the end of your tenancy, the standard move-out process applies — inventories are used as evidence — and any legitimate claims are handled directly between the insurer and your landlord or agent. You are expected to leave the property in good condition, just as you would with any tenancy.

At the end of your tenancy, the standard checks take place using your move-in and move-out inventories — exactly the same process as a traditional deposit. If there are no issues, that is the end of it. If a claim is raised, it is handled centrally by our UK claims team, with AI-assisted triage to ensure a swift resolution — typically within 24 hours to 7 days of the evidence being submitted.

Yes. Skip the Deposit is a genuine insurance-backed deposit replacement. This is an important distinction — it means the insurer carries the financial risk, not you. You are not signing up to a guarantee that leaves you liable for costs after the fact. You are benefiting from real insurance cover that protects both you and your landlord cleanly and simply.

With Skip the Deposit, you receive insurance-backed cover that mirrors what a traditional deposit provides — covering damage, cleaning, missing items, reinstatement costs, and rent loss where applicable. The insurer carries 100% of the risk, so you are not waiting on a tenant to repay funds before you are compensated.

Once a claim is agreed and supporting evidence has been submitted — using your move-in and move-out inventories — our UK claims team handles everything centrally. With AI-assisted triage, typical resolution is between 24 hours and 7 days. You are paid directly once the claim is settled.

No. Because Skip the Deposit is insurer-backed, your payout is not dependent on the tenant repaying anything. The insurer settles agreed claims directly. There is no repayment chasing dynamic between you, your agent, and the tenant.

Not at all. The process closely mirrors what you are already used to. A thorough move-in inventory is carried out at the start of the tenancy and a move-out inventory at the end. These form the evidence base for any claim. Your agent or property manager handles the rest through our straightforward online process.

Yes — and this is one of the key reasons Skip the Deposit is structured the way it is. As the market moves towards more periodic tenancies and greater tenant mobility, the volume of tenancy changes and potential claims will increase. Skip the Deposit provides continuous, insurer-backed cover that is linked to the property rather than a fixed term — meaning your protection does not lapse or require re-registration with every new or renewed tenancy.

alternatives? Most deposit alternatives on the market remove the upfront cash, but they do not remove the complexity. Many schemes still require tenant repayment pursuit after a claim, third-party dispute adjudication, or ongoing negotiation between parties. Skip the Deposit removes that uncertainty entirely. Claims are evidence-driven, centrally handled, and resolved quickly — reducing your admin burden and your exposure to tenant complaints or disputes. There is also a broader issue with traditional cash deposits that is easy to overlook: they are decreasing in real value over time. As the cost of repairs and materials rises each year, a deposit fixed at five weeks' rent from two or three years ago may no longer cover the actual cost of putting things right. Skip the Deposit allows the cover value to be increased annually in line with these rising costs, meaning your landlords are always properly protected — something a static cash deposit simply cannot offer.

Simply upload your move-in and move-out inventory evidence through the platform. Our UK claims team takes it from there, supported by AI triage to ensure fast, consistent outcomes. You are not the middleman in a back-and-forth between tenant and insurer. The process is clean, straightforward, and designed to get you and your landlord a clear result quickly.

Yes. Agents earn 10% of the policy value every year the policy is in place — not just on the first year. This creates an uncapped, recurring revenue stream that grows as your portfolio grows, with no registration fees and no upfront costs to get started.

By removing the large upfront deposit, you immediately open your properties to a wider pool of tenants — including those who are perfectly able to afford the rent but simply cannot access several thousand pounds at short notice. A lower, clear upfront cost means faster decisions, shorter void periods, and higher conversion rates.

legislation? Yes. Skip the Deposit is designed with the direction of UK rental legislation firmly in mind. The Renters' Reform landscape is pushing towards stronger tenant protections, more periodic tenancies, and greater scrutiny of dispute processes. Our insurer-backed, evidence-driven model aligns with these requirements — providing a clear, legally sound structure that protects agents, landlords, and tenants alike. What makes Skip the Deposit different from other deposit replacement companies? Most "no deposit" schemes remove the cash — but not the headache. With many deposit alternatives, if a tenant causes damage at the end of a tenancy, the insurer may pay the landlord — but then chases the tenant to pay that money back. This means disputes, delays, and stress for everyone involved. It also creates friction between agents and tenants at exactly the wrong moment — damaging relationships that agents depend on for repeat business and referrals. Skip the Deposit works differently: the insurer simply absorbs the cost. The tenant isn't chased. The landlord gets paid. The agent uploads the evidence and the claim is handled centrally, usually within a week.