Protect a tenancy deposit in an authorised scheme within 30 days

A tenancy deposit is received for an assured tenancy in England (including deposits paid by a third party).

From receipt, deal with the deposit under an authorised scheme (Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits or Tenancy Deposit Scheme; custodial or insured) and complete the scheme's initial requirements within 30 days beginning with the date of receipt. Do not take a deposit of property other than money. Return the deposit within 10 days of agreeing deductions at the end of the tenancy (scheme rule per GOV.UK).

Deadline

30 days beginning with the date the deposit is received (HA 2004 s.213(3)); this is often before the tenancy starts. No schema event exists for deposit receipt.

• Scheme protection certificate showing date protected
• Deposit receipt showing date received

Other consequences

Tenant (or third-party payer) can apply to the county court during or after the tenancy: court must order repayment or payment into a custodial scheme within 14 days and award 1-3x the deposit (HA 2004 s.214). Court cannot make a possession order (except on Grounds 7A or 14) unless the deposit is held in a scheme and its initial requirements have been met (late compliance counts), the deposit has been returned or deductions agreed, or a s.214 claim has been decided, withdrawn or settled (new s.215). Non-money deposits must be returned before any possession order.

• Housing Act 2004, s.213 (requirements relating to tenancy deposits)legislation.gov.uk
• Housing Act 2004, s.214 (proceedings relating to tenancy deposits)legislation.gov.uk
• Renters' Rights Act 2025, s.26 (tenancy deposit requirements: applies to assured tenancies and substitutes new s.215 sanctions)legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

Since 1 May 2026 the scheme rules cover all assured tenancies, not only shortholds. GOV.UK 'Deposit protection schemes and landlords' still refers to assured shorthold tenancies; the statute as amended and the GOV.UK tenant page reflect the change.

• 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.

• Give the deposit prescribed information within 30 daysIn force since 6 April 2007

  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.