Flow diagram · England
Tenancy deposits, from start to finish
Get the deposit right at the start and you can use it at the end — and you avoid penalties and possession problems.
Answer each question to see where it leads. Tap any earlier step to change your answer.
Tenancy deposits, from start to finish
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1
Take no more than the cap
Five weeks' rent if annual rent is under £50,000 (six weeks if more). Work it out as monthly rent × 12 ÷ 52 × 5, rounded down. Holding deposit: one week's rent at most.
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2
Protect it in a government scheme
DPS, mydeposits or TDS.
⏱ Within 30 days of receiving it
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3
Give the prescribed information
The scheme's details and the tenancy information the law requires, to every tenant.
⏱ Within the same 30 days
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!
If you miss the deadline
The tenant can claim 1–3 times the deposit, and the court can't make a possession order on most grounds until it's put right.
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4
At the end: check-out
Compare the property with the check-in inventory; take dated photos. Fair wear and tear can't be charged.
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5
Do you agree the deductions?
YesPut it in writing and return the rest through the scheme.NoUse the scheme's free dispute service: an adjudicator decides on the evidence — inventory, photos, invoices. -
✓
Deposit returned
Keep all records for the scheme and your file.