Guides › Rent and Deposits › Landlord Did Not Protect My Deposit
Landlord Did Not Protect My Deposit
In England, your landlord or agent must put your deposit in an approved scheme (DPS, MyDeposits or Tenancy Deposit Scheme) within 30 days of receiving it, and give you the scheme information in writing within the same 30 days. If they did not, you can claim in the county court, which can order the deposit to be returned or protected and up to 3 times the deposit as compensation.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Your Deposit Must Be Protected
Your Deposit Must Be Protected
Your landlord or agent must put your deposit in an approved scheme (DPS, MyDeposits or Tenancy Deposit Scheme) within 30 days of receiving it; this applies to assured periodic tenancies that replaced ASTs on 1 May 2026. source
Scheme Information
You must be given the scheme's information in writing within the same 30 days (prescribed information). source
If It Was Not Protected
If the deposit is not protected, you can claim in the county court: the court can order the deposit to be returned or protected within 14 days and can also order up to 3 times the deposit as compensation (Housing Act 2004 regime as described by GOV.UK and Shelter). source
Getting It Back
Getting It Back
The deposit must be returned within 10 days of you and the landlord agreeing the amount; if you disagree, the deposit stays protected in the scheme until sorted out, and the scheme offers free dispute resolution that is binding on both sides. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 30 daysLandlord must protect the deposit and give scheme informationWithin 30 days of receiving the deposit
- 14 daysCourt order for unprotected depositCourt may order repayment or protection within 14 days; compensation of up to 3 times the deposit
- 10 daysLandlord must return the deposit once amount is agreedWithin 10 days of agreement
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Check whether your deposit is protected: contact DPS, MyDeposits and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme with your details.
Step 2 of 4
Check whether you were given the scheme information in writing within 30 days.
Step 3 of 4
If not, write to your landlord or agent and ask them to put it right. Our free letter templates can write it for you.
Step 4 of 4
Get free advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice about a county court claim.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
County Court Claim (Unprotected Deposit)
Deposit not protected within 30 days or prescribed information not given.
Shelter England
Free advice on deposit claims and eviction notices.
Citizens Advice
Free advice on any renting problem.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
This page covers England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules.
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Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 12 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection Checked 12 October 2026
- england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/check_your_tenancy_deposit_is_protected/deposit_not_protected Checked 12 October 2026
- gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/if-your-landlord-doesnt-protect-your-deposit Checked 12 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026