Tenancy deposit protection scheme
A government-approved scheme that protects an assured tenant's deposit. In England there are three: the Deposit Protection Service, mydeposits and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
In short: A tenancy deposit protection scheme holds or insures a tenant's deposit and runs a free dispute service at the end. A landlord in England must protect the deposit in one within 30 days of receiving it and give the prescribed information. Failing to do so can cost one to three times the deposit.
英格兰。 于 5 October 2026 对照法律进行核查. 信息，非法律建议。
The duty is in sections 212 to 215 of the Housing Act 2004.
- Custodial schemes hold the money; insured schemes let the landlord or agent hold it for a fee.
- Protect within 30 days, and give the prescribed information in the same time.
- At the end, agree deductions with the tenant; return the agreed amount within ten days.
- If you cannot agree, the scheme's free dispute service decides, on the evidence.
A landlord who fails to protect the deposit, or to give the prescribed information, can be ordered to pay the tenant one to three times the deposit, and cannot rely on some possession grounds until it is put right.
Read more: Deposits: the cap, the 30 days and the prescribed information
Related: Prescribed information, Deposit cap, Fair wear and tear
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常见问题
How do I check whether my deposit is protected?
Each of the three schemes has a free online look-up using the tenant's details, the postcode or the deposit amount. If it is not in any of them, ask the landlord in writing.
Guides on this
Guide
Deposits: the cap, the 30 days and the prescribed information
A tenancy deposit in England is capped at five weeks' rent, must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days, and the tenant must get the prescribed information. Miss any of that and you face a penalty of up to three times the deposit.
Guide
How to protect a tenancy deposit, and what happens if you are late
Put the deposit in one of the three government schemes within 30 days and give the prescribed information. If late, the tenant can claim one to three times the deposit and most possession grounds close.
Template
Inventory and schedule of condition, room by room
A room-by-room record of what is in the home and what state it is in on the day the tenant moves in, with meter readings, keys, photos and signatures. It is the evidence both sides rely on when the deposit is returned.
Template
Deposit return: the tenant's request and the landlord's itemised statement
At the end of a tenancy in England the tenant asks for the deposit back and the landlord sets out any deductions with evidence. Both letters, and the deposit scheme's free dispute service when the two sides cannot agree.
Related terms
Glossary
Check-in and check-out
The visits at the start and end of a tenancy where the home is inspected against the inventory, keys are handed over and meter readings are taken.
Glossary
Deposit cap
The most a landlord in England can take as a tenancy deposit: five weeks' rent where the annual rent is under £50,000, six weeks' at £50,000 or more.
Glossary
Fair wear and tear
The normal deterioration of a home and its contents from ordinary, reasonable use over time. A landlord cannot deduct for it from the deposit.
Glossary
Holding deposit
A payment of up to one week's rent to reserve a home while the landlord checks an application. It must be returned or put towards the rent or deposit.
Glossary
Inventory and schedule of condition
A dated record of what is in the home and the condition of each room and item at the start of a tenancy, usually with photos, signed by both sides.
Glossary
Prescribed information
The set of details about a protected deposit that a landlord must give the tenant, and anyone who paid the deposit for them, within 30 days of receiving it.