How to Split a Security Deposit When One Roommate Moves In Later
When a new roommate joins mid-lease, the deposit situation gets complicated. Here's how to handle it fairly and legally.
One of the most confusing financial situations in shared living happens when a new roommate joins after the original lease has started. The security deposit was already paid — so what does the new person owe, and who gets what when someone moves out?
The simplest approach: the new roommate reimburses the outgoing one for their share of the deposit. If the total deposit is £1,500 for three people and someone new is replacing someone who paid £500, the new person pays £500 directly to the person leaving.
Always document this in writing. A simple signed agreement stating who paid what, when, and what happens at the end of the lease prevents confusion (and potential legal issues) later. HomeCo's expense tracking can log this alongside other shared payments.
If the landlord requires a new deposit or top-up, split the difference proportionally. Don't let one person shoulder the cost just because they're the 'new one'.
When the lease ends, the deposit refund goes to whoever is on the lease. From there, distribute according to your written agreement. Keep receipts, keep records, and keep it clean.
Pro tip: photograph the entire flat on move-in day — especially if you weren't the original tenant. You need proof of the condition you inherited, not just the condition when the first flatmates moved in.
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