Deposit protection deadline

The rules

Under section 213 of the Housing Act 2004, a landlord must protect the deposit in an approved scheme and give the tenant the prescribed information within 30 days beginning with the date the deposit is received. Counting the day of receipt as day one, the last day is 29 days after it.

If the deposit is not protected in time, section 214 lets the tenant go to court. The court must order the landlord to repay the deposit or pay it into a scheme, and must order a payment of between one and three times the deposit within 14 days. From 1 May 2026 this applies to assured tenancies.

Returning the deposit

GOV.UK says the deposit should be returned within 10 days of both sides agreeing the amount. It does not say whether that means calendar or working days. The calculator counts calendar days, which is the cautious choice. Returning it sooner does no harm.

Limits

Check with your deposit scheme as well. Schemes publish their own guidance, and some tenancies have special cases. Count the deposit as received on the day it reaches the landlord or agent, not the day the tenancy starts.

Who this calculator is for

Landlords and agents in England who hold a tenancy deposit, and tenants who want to check that it was protected on time. It also gives the date to return the deposit once the amount has been agreed.

How to use it

1. Enter the date the landlord or agent received the deposit. Use the day the money arrived, not the day the tenancy started.
2. Read the last day to protect it in an approved scheme and give the tenant the prescribed information.
3. At the end of the tenancy, enter the date both sides agreed the amount to return to see the return date.

Worked examples

• Deposit received 1 June 2026: the last day to protect it is 30 June 2026.
• Amount agreed on 1 June 2026: return the deposit by 11 June 2026.

What happens if the deadline is missed

Under section 214 of the Housing Act 2004 the tenant can apply to court. The court must order the landlord to repay the deposit or pay it into a scheme, and must also order a payment of between one and three times the deposit within 14 days. From 1 May 2026 this applies to assured tenancies.

Approved schemes

GOV.UK lists the approved tenancy deposit schemes and explains how to use them. Each scheme publishes its own guidance, so check the scheme your deposit is in as well.

What changed under the Renters' Rights Act 2025

From 1 May 2026, the section 214 penalty for failing to protect a deposit applies to assured tenancies. The GOV.UK guide to the Renters' Rights Act also says a landlord who has not properly protected a deposit cannot regain possession, with some exceptions. Protecting on time matters more than before.

If you are the tenant

Your landlord should tell you which scheme holds your deposit and give you the prescribed information within 30 days of receiving it. If you have not been told, check with the three approved schemes using your name and address. If it was never protected, get advice. You may be able to claim between one and three times the deposit.

• Keep proof of paying the deposit.
• Ask your landlord or agent in writing which scheme holds it.
• Contact Shelter or Citizens Advice before starting a claim.

What counts as protected

A deposit is protected when it is paid into an approved scheme, or held under an insured scheme, and the tenant has the prescribed information. Doing only one of those does not meet the deadline. If you use a letting agent, check that the agent has actually paid the deposit in.

Common questions

How long does a landlord have to protect a deposit?

The period is 30 days beginning with the date the deposit is received, under section 213 of the Housing Act 2004. Counting the day of receipt as day one, the last day is 29 days after it.

What is the penalty for not protecting a deposit?

A court must order the landlord to repay the deposit or pay it into a scheme, and must order a payment of one to three times the deposit, within 14 days.

How soon must a deposit be returned?

GOV.UK says within 10 days of both sides agreeing the amount. It does not say calendar or working days, so the calculator counts calendar days, the cautious choice.

What counts as the date of receipt?

The day the deposit reaches the landlord or agent, not the day the tenancy starts.

Does this apply to Wales and Scotland?

No. This calculator covers England only.

Which schemes are approved?

GOV.UK lists the approved tenancy deposit schemes in England and explains how each one works.

What is the prescribed information?

It is the details the landlord must give the tenant about the scheme, how the deposit is protected and how to get it back. Each scheme provides a template.

Does a late deposit protection fix the problem?

Protecting it late does not remove the tenant's right to claim. A court will still look at the delay.

Related guides

• Tenancy deposit rules in England

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