Deposits & tenancy
Tenancy deposit protection: the 30-day rule and the penalties
Mishandling a deposit is one of the most expensive mistakes a landlord can make - and it also blocks eviction. The rules are strict but simple.
Protect it within 30 days
Under the Housing Act 2004, any deposit taken for an assured shorthold tenancy must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt.
The three approved schemes are the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), MyDeposits and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS).
Serve the prescribed information
Within the same 30 days you must give the tenant the prescribed information - which scheme holds the deposit, how to get it back, and how disputes are handled.
Penalties and the eviction block
- A tenant can claim compensation of between one and three times the deposit for a breach.
- You cannot serve a valid Section 21 notice while a deposit is unprotected or the prescribed information has not been given.
Last reviewed September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice - always check your local authority's requirements.
Never miss a deadline
LetCompliance tracks every certificate and duty on this page across your whole portfolio, and generates the served-ready documents when you need them.
Check your compliance free