Deposit Information

Overview

If your home is rented under an assured shorthold tenancy that began after 6 April 2007, your landlord must place your deposit into a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme (TDP). In England and Wales, your deposit can be registered with one of the following schemes:

• Deposit Protection Service

• MyDeposits (including those previously held by Capita)

• Tenancy Deposit Scheme

For tenancies that are not assured shorthold, landlords may accept valuable items—like a car or watch—as a deposit instead of cash, but keep in mind that these items won’t be protected by a scheme.

These schemes ensure that you'll get your deposit back if you:

• Fulfil the terms of your tenancy agreement

• Avoid causing damage to the property

• Keep up with your rent and bills

Your landlord or letting agent is required to place your deposit in the scheme within 30 days of receiving it.

In Scotland or Northern Ireland

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own TDP schemes. Be sure to check details on:

• TDP schemes in Scotland

• TDP schemes in Northern Ireland

At the End of Your Tenancy

Your landlord must return your deposit within 10 days of both parties agreeing on the amount to be refunded. If there’s a dispute, your deposit remains protected in the TDP scheme while the issue is being resolved.

Holding Deposits

A holding deposit (the money paid to ‘hold’ a property before a tenancy agreement is signed) does not require protection. Once you become a tenant, the holding deposit converts into a proper deposit, which must then be protected.

Deposits Made by a Third Party

Even if someone else, such as a rent deposit scheme or your parents, pays your deposit, your landlord is still required to use a TDP scheme.