Source: https://www.quantsurv.com/library/glossary/retention
Content format: Markdown version of the public page.
Content reviewed: 2026-10-10

# Retention

Money withheld under the agreed payment terms as security, with release governed by your contract’s events and conditions.

by [Jack Butler-Kettle](<https://www.quantsurv.com/about#jack-butler-kettle>) · About 1 min readShare

## Further detail

Read this alongside [JCT explanation of retention and bonds in lieu](<https://corporate.jctltd.co.uk/whats-wrong-with-retention/>).

Retention holds back part of a payment as contractual security. The percentage, cap and release events need to be checked in the subcontract. Release may depend on certification or other conditions; completion of your own work and completion of the whole project can be different events.

Track the retained amount, cap and release basis for each contract. Our [Subcontract payment assessments](<https://www.quantsurv.com/quantity-surveying?service=%2Fquantity-surveying%2Fpayment-applications-valuations#client-types>) service reconciles deductions during the job, and our [Final account preparation and assessment](<https://www.quantsurv.com/quantity-surveying?service=%2Fquantity-surveying%2Ffinal-accounts#client-types>) service supports release applications. [Retention recovery](<https://www.quantsurv.com/claims?service=%2Fretention%2Fservices%2Fretention-recovery#client-types>) addresses an outstanding disputed balance.

## Sources

1.  [What’s Wrong with Retention? (JCT explanation of the 2016 forms)](<https://corporate.jctltd.co.uk/whats-wrong-with-retention/>). The Joint Contracts Tribunal.

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