At a glance
- Your deposit must be protected within 30 days in a government-approved scheme, and your landlord must give you the prescribed information in the same time.[1][2]
- A deposit is capped at five weeks’ rent (six if annual rent is £50,000 or more) and a holding deposit at one week’s rent.[3][4]
- If it is not protected, a court can order your landlord to pay up to three times the deposit, and an unprotected deposit blocks most possession claims.[5][6]
- Getting your deposit back usually takes 5 to 10 days, and a free dispute service is available if you and your landlord disagree.[3][7]
Rules and figures last checked October 2026.
How your deposit is protected
Your landlord or agent must put your deposit in one of three government-approved schemes: the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits or the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.[1] They must do it within 30 days of receiving it, and give you the information about it: the amount, how it is protected, the scheme’s details, how to apply to get it back and what to do if there is a dispute.[2]
The holding deposit
- It can be no more than one week’s rent, and is held for 15 days unless you agree a different period in writing.[4]
- The landlord can keep it only if you gave false or misleading information, withdrew, did not respond to reasonable requests or failed the right to rent check, and must give written reasons within seven days.[4]
- If it is returned, that must be within seven days.[4]
Getting your deposit back
It usually takes 5 to 10 days for your landlord to return your deposit, and they may keep part for rent owed or repairs.[3] If you disagree, each scheme runs a free dispute service. Both sides must agree to use it and the decision is final, so there may be a time limit and it is worth checking early.[7]
What else you can be asked to pay
The Tenant Fees Act allows only a short list of payments: rent, a refundable deposit and holding deposit, changes to the tenancy at your request (up to £50, or the actual cost if more), an early-termination payment, utilities and communications if the agreement says so, late-payment interest after two weeks overdue, and replacing a lost key. Anything else is banned.[4] Our tenant fees page lists them in full.
Sources
Every figure and rule above comes from one of these, read in October 2026. The dates are the ones each publisher shows as when the page was last updated.
- [1]Tenancy deposit protection (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
- [2]Information landlords must give tenants about deposit protection (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
- [3]Private renting for tenants: deposits (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
- [4]Tenant Fees Act 2019: guidance for tenants (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK · page updated 7 July 2026
- [5]If your landlord does not protect your deposit (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
- [6]If your landlord wants to end your tenancy (assured periodic tenancies: a guide for tenants) (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
- [7]Deposit disputes and problems (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
This is a general guide to renting in England, not legal advice. Your tenancy agreement and your own circumstances decide what applies to you. If you are facing eviction or a dispute, get advice from your council, a solicitor or a housing advice service.