Tenancy deposit protection
Most deposits should be protected within 30 days of you paying one.
This applies to assured and assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs).
Lodger deposits do not need to be protected.
What should happen when you pay your deposit?
Your landlord or agent must usually protect your tenancy deposit if you rent privately.
This means your landlord must register your deposit with a scheme.
Which tenancies does this apply to?
The deposit protection rules apply to deposits taken for:
private assured tenancies from 1 May 2026
assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) from 6 April 2007
Most private ASTs became assured tenancies on 1 May 2026.
Which schemes can your landlord use?
There are 3 deposit protection schemes:
Your landlord can choose which scheme they use.
Your deposit must be protected with a scheme for your whole tenancy.
What a deposit scheme does
All 3 schemes have:
an insurance option - where your landlord holds the deposit
a custodial option - where the scheme keeps the deposit during the tenancy
The scheme records how much you paid.
You can ask the scheme to look at disagreements about the return of your deposit when you leave. This is called 'dispute resolution'.
More on how to get your deposit back.
Time limits to protect your deposit
Your landlord has 30 days from when you pay your deposit to:
register it with a scheme
give you written information about this
There were different time limits for deposits paid before 6 April 2012.
Written information from your landlord
This written information is called 'prescribed information.' It includes:
the deposit amount
the address of your tenancy
a leaflet from the scheme
It includes the names and contact details of:
all tenants
your landlord or agent
the scheme protecting your deposit
The written information should also explain:
how to get your deposit back
when your landlord can keep deposit money
how the scheme can help sort out disputes
what happens if your landlord or agent cannot be contacted or does not reply
Your landlord or agent must sign a certificate which says this information is correct.
Pet deposits
Your landlord might ask for a 'pet deposit' if you ask to keep a pet.
This still a tenancy deposit. It should be protected and should normally be returned at the end of your tenancy.
Any damage or cleaning costs caused by your pets could be taken out of your tenancy deposit.
More on:
Zero deposit schemes
A fee for a 'zero deposit' option is not a tenancy deposit.
Your landlord does not have to protect this money and you do not get it back.
Some tenants choose this option because of lower costs at the start of your tenancy. But you cannot be forced to use a scheme like this.
More on zero deposit companies and problems to look out for.
Last updated: 1 May 2026
