How to Check if Your Deposit is Protected (3 Minute Check)

In England, all tenancy deposits must be protected in one of three government-approved schemes within 30 days of the landlord receiving the money. The three schemes are:

• Deposit Protection Service (DPS) at depositprotection.com: A custodial scheme where the DPS holds the actual money.
• MyDeposits at mydeposits.co.uk: Offers both custodial (they hold the money) and insurance (landlord holds the money, scheme provides insurance) options.
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) at tenancydepositscheme.com: Also offers both custodial and insurance options.

Your landlord should have told you which scheme protects your deposit within 30 days of receiving it, along with "prescribed information" about the scheme and your rights. If they did not, they are already in breach of the law.

You can check all three schemes online in about 3 minutes:

DPS (Deposit Protection Service):

MyDeposits:

TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme):

If you cannot find your deposit on any of the three schemes, it is likely not protected. This is a serious legal breach by your landlord.

If your deposit is not protected in any of the three schemes, your landlord is breaking the law. You have strong legal remedies:

• Compensation claim: You can apply to the county court for compensation of 1 to 3 times the deposit amount. This is a penalty for failing to comply with the deposit protection requirements.
• Your landlord cannot evict you: A landlord who has not protected your deposit (or served the prescribed information) cannot serve a valid eviction notice. This gives you significant leverage.
• Return of the deposit: The court can order the landlord to return the deposit or protect it within 14 days.

The court claim is straightforward and can be done without a solicitor using the Money Claims Online service (moneyclaims.service.gov.uk). Many housing charities and law centres can help with the paperwork.

Before making a claim, write to your landlord giving them 14 days to protect the deposit and provide the prescribed information. Keep a copy of this letter. If they do not comply, proceed with the court claim.

Use our landlord check tool to assess your landlord's overall compliance with legal requirements.

Even if your deposit is protected, your landlord must also have served you with prescribed information within 30 days. This must include:

• The name and contact details of the scheme
• Your landlord's or agent's name and contact details
• The address of the rented property
• The amount of the deposit
• Information about the scheme's dispute resolution process
• The circumstances in which deductions may be made

If you did not receive this information (or it was not served within 30 days), the same penalties apply as for an unprotected deposit: the landlord cannot serve a valid eviction notice, and you can claim 1 to 3 times the deposit amount.

Check your email, letters, and tenancy paperwork carefully. The prescribed information is often sent as a separate document or email, not included in the tenancy agreement itself.