Deposit Protection
Your rights to deposit protection, how to claim your deposit back, and compensation if it was not protected.
Important Warnings
- Do not accept deductions for normal wear and tear. Landlords often try to overcharge for cleaning or minor damage.
- Keep records of the property condition when you moved in (photos, inventory) to challenge unfair deductions.
- If your deposit was not protected, you still have time to claim even after moving out.
- By law, your landlord must protect your deposit in a government-backed tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receiving it. They must also give you details of which scheme and how to get it back.
- If your landlord did not protect your deposit, you can take them to court and claim between 1-3 times the deposit amount in compensation.
- At the end of your tenancy, the landlord must return your deposit within 10 days unless there is a dispute about deductions.
- If your landlord wants to make deductions for damages or cleaning, they must provide evidence. Normal wear and tear cannot be charged for.
- You have the right to know which deposit protection scheme your deposit is in within 30 days.
- You have the right to challenge unfair deductions through the deposit protection scheme's free dispute resolution service.
- If your deposit was not protected, you can make a court claim even years later (up to 6 years in England, 5 in Scotland).
- An unprotected deposit can also make a Section 21 eviction notice invalid.
Next Steps
Check if your deposit is protected
Contact the three schemes (DPS, MyDeposits, TDS) to check if your deposit is registered.
Request deposit return in writing
At the end of your tenancy, email your landlord asking for the return of your deposit. Include your new address and bank details.
Challenge unfair deductions
If the landlord wants to keep part of the deposit, use the deposit scheme's dispute resolution service. It is free and independent.
Make a court claim for unprotected deposit
If your deposit was never protected, use the small claims court to claim compensation. You do not need a solicitor.
External Resources
Complete guide to deposit protection and getting your money back.
Official rules on deposit protection.
Check if your deposit is protected with DPS and use their dispute resolution service.
Check if your deposit is protected with MyDeposits and use their dispute resolution service.
Check if your deposit is protected with TDS and use their dispute resolution service.