Tenancy deposits in 2026: what changed and what didn't

Deposit protection rules largely survive the Renters' Rights Act, but the consequences of getting them wrong have widened. Here is the 2026 checklist.

The deposit rules survived — the penalties got sharper

The Housing Act 2004 deposit framework — TDS, DPS and MyDeposits — remains in force. What changed in 2026 is the consequence of non-compliance.

The core rules (unchanged)

  • Maximum deposit: 5 weeks' rent (or 6 weeks where annual rent is £50,000+)
  • Protect within 30 days of receipt
  • Serve Prescribed Information within 30 days
  • Use a government-approved scheme: TDS, DPS or MyDeposits

What changed on 1 May 2026

  • Rent in advance is capped at one month. Landlords using 'rent in advance' to sidestep the deposit cap now face a civil penalty.
  • Tenants can claim 1–3× the deposit for non-protection — and the limitation period runs from the breach, not from tenancy end.

The Prescribed Information trap

The PI must contain:

  • Scheme contact details
  • Procedure for return at end of tenancy
  • What happens if there is a dispute
  • Landlord and any relevant person details
  • Signed certificate from the landlord

Many landlords protect the deposit on time but forget the signed PI certificate. The courts treat that as non-compliance.

LetSentry's Prescribed Information Log captures the protection date, scheme reference, PI version and signed certificate per property — your audit trail in one place.

End of tenancy

  • Negotiate deductions in writing first
  • If disputed, use the scheme's free adjudication service
  • Keep inventory photos — the LetSentry e-signed inventory is court-admissible evidence

What LetSentry does

  • Prescribed Information Log per property
  • Inventory with up to 6 photos per item, tenant e-signature
  • Deposit deduction worksheet at end of tenancy

This article is general information, not legal advice.

Sources: - https://www.gov.uk/deposit-protection-schemes-and-landlords - https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection - https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764

Published: 2026-05-21.

Last reviewed: 2026-08-30.

General summary; not legal advice.