Deposit Recovery Letter

A deposit recovery letter in Ireland is a firm solicitor’s demand letter to recover a deposit where a deal did not proceed. A solicitor would draft and send the letter for you. If you paid a deposit and nobody is returning it, a formal letter is often the first step.

You can upload your folio, deeds, contract, photos or other documents through our secure link; a solicitor would then typically review everything before preparing advice. There is no hourly billing: the price is fixed for the service described. Property and land issues are usually easier and cheaper to resolve early, before a sale, mortgage or family transfer is held up. The advice is based on Irish law and practice and on the documents you provide, so the more complete your documents, the more precise the advice can be. If the advice shows that further work is needed, such as correspondence, a Land Registry application or a planning or court process, a solicitor would explain the options and any further cost before anything else is done.

What’s included

• Intake call
• Document review
• Letter drafted and sent
• Copy emailed to you
• One revision
• Work of this kind is carried out by a solicitor regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. We are not a solicitor’s practice and do not provide it — to instruct a solicitor, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.

Who this is for

• Buyers whose booking deposit has not been refunded
• Tenants seeking return of a deposit
• People who paid a deposit to a builder
• Buyers whose deal fell through

How it works

1. Find a solicitor through the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory and send them the basic details and any existing documents or correspondence.
2. Complete a short questionnaire about your circumstances.
3. A solicitor would then typically review the documents and prepare written advice.
4. You receive your written advice by email and, where included, a follow-up call to ask questions.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a deposit recovery letter cost in Ireland?

Fees for work of this kind are typically set on application: a solicitor would typically confirm the fee once the matter has been reviewed and before any work begins. Any third-party or State fees are listed separately where they apply. You request an assessment, and costs are confirmed in writing before any work begins.

Is a booking deposit refundable?

A booking deposit is generally refundable before contracts are signed, but each case depends on the facts.

What if the letter does not work?

Further options may include a small claim, an RTB referral for tenancy deposits, or court proceedings.

For more on property, land and conveyancing, see our Property & Conveyancing in Ireland guide.

If you would like to be told when solicitor services are available again on this site, you can join our no-fee waiting list. To instruct a solicitor now, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.