Tenant Deposit Protection Guide UK

In-depth guide to tenant deposit protection for UK landlords: government-authorised schemes, prescribed information, the 30-day deadline, and possible penalties of up to 3x the deposit.

How long do I have to protect a tenancy deposit?

30 days from receiving the money. The deposit must go into one of the three government-authorised schemes — DPS, MyDeposits or the Tenancy Deposit Scheme — and the prescribed information must be served on the tenant within the same 30-day window. Keep the certificate and proof of service.