Deposits
Give the deposit prescribed information within 30 days
Within 30 days of receiving a deposit, give the tenant and anyone who paid it on their behalf the prescribed information about the scheme and the deposit, in the prescribed form or substantially the same.
- Status
- In force since 6 April 2007
- Penalty
- See below
- Topic
- Deposits
Who it applies to
A tenancy deposit is received for an assured tenancy in England.
What you must do
Give each tenant and any relevant person (third-party payer) the information in article 2 of the Housing (Tenancy Deposits) (Prescribed Information) Order 2007: scheme administrator contact details; the scheme leaflet information; repayment, non-contact and dispute procedures and the dispute resolution facilities; deposit amount; property address; landlord, tenant and relevant person contact details; circumstances in which deductions may be made; and a landlord-signed certificate that the information is accurate and that the tenant was given the opportunity to sign to confirm it.
- Deadline
30 days beginning with the date the deposit is received (HA 2004 s.213(6)(b)); often before the tenancy starts. No schema event exists for deposit receipt.
Evidence to keep
- Signed prescribed information document
- Proof of delivery to each tenant and any relevant person
- Scheme leaflet provided
If you do not comply
- Other consequences
- County court must award 1-3x the deposit if not given within 30 days (HA 2004 s.214). No possession order (except Grounds 7A/14) until the prescribed information has been given in the prescribed form (new s.215(3)), unless the deposit has been returned or a s.214 claim concluded.
The law
- Housing Act 2004, s.213(5)-(6)legislation.gov.uk
- Housing (Tenancy Deposits) (Prescribed Information) Order 2007 (SI 2007/797), art 2legislation.gov.uk
- SI 2026/325, reg 7 (Order amended to apply to assured tenancies)legislation.gov.uk
- Renters' Rights Act 2025, s.26 (new HA 2004 s.215 sanctions)legislation.gov.uk
Official guidance
Notes
There is no single GOV.UK form; schemes publish prescribed-information templates. Giving the information late removes the possession bar but not liability for the 1-3x award.
Other deposits rules
2 rules- Cap tenancy deposits at 5 weeks' rent (6 weeks if annual rent is £50,000 or more)In force since 1 June 2019Fine up to £5,000
A tenancy deposit cannot exceed 5 weeks' rent where annual rent is under £50,000, or 6 weeks' rent where annual rent is £50,000 or more. Any excess is a prohibited payment.
- Protect a tenancy deposit in an authorised scheme within 30 daysIn force since 6 April 2007
Any money deposit for an assured tenancy must be protected in a government-approved scheme from receipt, with the scheme's initial requirements completed within 30 days. Deposits can only be money.