# Return the deposit within 10 days of agreeing how much the tenant gets back

> When the tenancy ends, agree with the tenant how much of the deposit they get back. GOV.UK says it must be returned within 10 days of that agreement. If you cannot agree, the deposit stays protected in the scheme until the dispute is settled.

- Status: In force since 6 Apr 2007 (`in_force`)
- Topic: Deposits
- Confidence: Medium. Read the linked law before you rely on this summary.
- Rule id: `deposit-return-end-of-tenancy`
- Web page: https://lettance.com/rules/deposit-return-end-of-tenancy

## Who it applies to

A protected tenancy deposit is held when an assured tenancy ends.

## What you must do

Agree any deductions with the tenant and return the agreed amount within 10 days of agreeing it. In a custodial scheme, tell the scheme, which repays within 10 days of being notified. In an insured scheme, repay it yourself; if the tenant tells the scheme they have not been repaid within 10 days of asking, the scheme must direct you to pay the amount into the scheme within 10 days, and you must comply. If you cannot agree, the scheme can settle the dispute.

Deadline: 10 days from agreeing the amount (or from the scheme being notified of the agreement or a decision), not from the end of the tenancy. Housing Act 2004 Schedule 10 paras 4 and 6.

## Evidence to keep

- Written agreement on deductions
- Proof of repayment or of notifying the scheme

## If you do not comply

- Other consequences: In an insured scheme the landlord must comply with the scheme's direction to pay the disputed or unpaid amount into the scheme (Schedule 10 para 6(9)). The deposit stays protected until any dispute is settled.

## The law

- [Housing Act 2004, Schedule 10 (tenancy deposit schemes: repayment at the end of the tenancy, paras 4 and 6)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/34/schedule/10)
- [Renters' Rights Act 2025, s.26 (tenancy deposit requirements extended to all assured tenancies)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/26/section/26)

## Official guidance

- [Deposit protection schemes and landlords](https://www.gov.uk/deposit-protection-schemes-and-landlords)
- [Tenancy deposit protection](https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection)

## Notes

GOV.UK states the 10-day return for landlords generally; the statute sets it through the scheme rules in Schedule 10, and for insured schemes the 10 days run from the tenant's request. Since 1 May 2026 the scheme rules cover all assured tenancies (RRA 2025 s.26), though the GOV.UK landlord page still refers to assured shorthold tenancies.

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From Lettance: https://lettance.com/rules/deposit-return-end-of-tenancy (catalogue edition 15 October 2026). This is information, not legal advice. Check the linked sources before you act.