Guide · Tenancy deposits

Unprotected deposit?
The penalty is yours to claim.

If your landlord didn't put your deposit in a protection scheme within 30 days, the law doesn't just tell them off. It hands you a claim for a penalty of up to three times the deposit, and it applies even after you've moved out.

1.The duty: 30 days, no exceptions

Housing Act 2004 · s.213 · Requirements relating to tenancy deposits

"Where a landlord receives a tenancy deposit in connection with a shorthold an assured tenancy, the initial requirements of an authorised scheme must be complied with by the landlord in relation to the deposit within the period of 30 days beginning with the date on which it is received."

In plain English: If you pay a deposit for a rented home, your landlord must protect it in a government-approved scheme within 30 days. They also have to give you specific information about the scheme and how they've complied with its rules.

§ Read the full text on legislation.gov.uk →

2.The penalty: one to three times the deposit

Housing Act 2004 · s.214 · Proceedings relating to tenancy deposits

"order the landlord to pay to the applicant a sum of money not less than the amount of the deposit and not more than three times the amount of the deposit within the period of 14 days beginning with the date of the making of the order. (5)Where any deposit given in connection with a shorthold an ass"…

In plain English: The court must order the deposit repaid or protected, and must additionally order the landlord to pay you between one and three times the deposit as a penalty.

§ Read the full text on legislation.gov.uk →

3.It also blocks their section 21 eviction

An unprotected deposit historically barred no-fault eviction notices too, and with the 2025 renting reforms the compliance picture only got stricter for landlords. The leverage is real.

4.What to do

Check all three schemes free online (DPS, MyDeposits, TDS) with your postcode and tenancy date.
Ask the landlord in writing where it's protected and for the prescribed information they owed you.
No good answer? A formal letter setting out sections 213 and 214 and the penalty range concentrates minds wonderfully.
You can claim up to 6 years back, including for past tenancies with the same landlord.

Want to know where you stand?

Tell us what happened in your own words. We check it against the law above, free, and give you a straight answer either way. If the law is on your side, your formal letter, citing the exact provisions, is £2.99.

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