Compliance & Safety8 min readLast reviewed 2 July 2026
Deposit Protection Requirements for Landlords in England
Tenant deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days. Failure invalidates Section 21 and risks penalties.
England only. This guide applies to private rented property in England. Wales and Scotland have separate legal frameworks — dedicated guides will be published separately.
Key takeaways
- Deposits on assured shorthold tenancies must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days.
- Prescribed information must be given to the tenant within the same 30-day window.
- Three approved schemes operate in England: TDS, DPS, and MyDeposits.
- Failure to protect or provide prescribed information invalidates Section 21 notices.
- Tenants can claim 1–3 times the deposit amount via court if not protected.
Deposit protection law
The Housing Act 2004 requires landlords to protect tenant deposits in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme. This applies to all assured shorthold tenancies where a deposit is taken. See also our prescribed information guide for the documents that must accompany protection.