• Login
  • Register
Toggle navigation
Logo repolist dark
The UK's leading repossession, refurb and auction resource
Over 13,000 live properties across the UK right now
  • Search
  • Features
    • Property
    • Repossessions
    • How To
    • Buying At Auction
    • 60 Second Interview
    • Where To Invest
    • Finance
    • Auction
    • Repossessed
    • Land Plot
    • Property of the week
    • News
    • Buy to Let
    • Property Development
  • How It Works
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
jo Reeder on Monday, 05 Jul 2021
Repolist Resources

Tenant Deposits – What You Need to Know

Colin watts 8wrrj4xjeyg unsplash 2

It is a legal obligation for landlords in England and Wales to put all tenant deposits into a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme (TDS) if they are renting out a property on an assured shorthold tenancy (AST). There are similar schemes for landlords in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A deposit gives the landlord added peace of mind should a tenant damage the property while they’re living there or leave without paying rent. Typically, landlords should ask for a deposit that’s the equivalent of four to six weeks rent. When a tenant pays a deposit, it must be put into the scheme within 30 days. Even if the deposit is paid by someone else, it still needs to be paid into a scheme. 

The schemes are designed to protect tenants and landlords and help oversee the process of deposit returns, deductions and disputes. Tenants will get a deposit back if they:

·       Meet the terms of the tenancy agreement

·       Don’t damage the property

·       Pay outstanding rent and bills

In England and Wales there are three main schemes: Deposit Protection Service (DPS), MyDeposits and Tenancy Deposit Scheme. As a landlord, you must comply with the law regarding tenancy deposits; failure to do so might affect your right to reclaim rent arrears should the tenant miss any payments. 

If you do not protect the tenant’s deposit or give them adequate details and information about where their money is being held, tenants are well within their rights to claim the return of the deposit. Alternatively, a judge can order its return on their behalf. Landlords could also face a fine of between one and three times the amount of the deposit. Not protecting a deposit also means a landlord can’t evict a tenant using a Section 21 notice. 

As part of the process it’s your legal right to give potential tenants the following information:

  • Full address of the rental property

  • How the deposit is protected

  • Name and contact details of the tenancy deposit protection scheme and up to date details of the dispute resolution service

  • Name and contact details of the letting agent (or your details if you are the agent)

  • Name and details of any third party that has paid the deposit

  • Possible reasons why you would be likely to keep some of the deposit

  • Details of how tenants can claim their deposit back

  • What tenants should do if they can’t get hold of the relevant person at the end of the tenancy agreement

  • How tenants can resolve disputes over the return of a deposit

Looking for the best scheme? Find out more here.

Repolist is the UK's leading property website and has thousands of auction, refurb and repossessed properties on its database - start your search now.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not official guidance, FCA approved, or legally precise.

Previous article
Property Flipping - Can You Still Make Profits in 2021?
Next article
Buyer's Guide to Buying Property at Auction
Join to Repolist now
take advantage of our low cost subscription plans to access all reposession and auction data

Library Topics

  • Property (14)
  • Repossessions (17)
  • How To (4)
  • Buying At Auction (1)
  • 60 Second Interview (6)
  • Where To Invest (2)
  • Finance (6)
  • Property Of The Week (12)
  • News (23)
  • Buy To Let (5)
  • Property Development (3)
  • Property Prices (1)

About us

  • How it works
  • About
  • Contact
  • Auction house listings
  • FAQ
  • Troubleshooting

Legal Information

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Intellectual Property Notice

Local Repossession Guides

  • Birmingham
  • Bradford
  • Brighton
  • Brixton
  • Hackney
  • Hull
  • Leicester
  • Manchester
  • Southampton

Get Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest repossession auction and refurbishment news

Thank you! You will receive your first newsletter soon
Copyright ©2023 Repolist. Suite 34, New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8JY. All Rights Reserved. A Webbi product

Sign In

Forgot your password?

Don't have an account? Sign up

Sign Up

Minimum 8 characters

Already a Repolist subscriber? Sign in

Get Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest repossession auction and refurbishment news

Thank you! You will receive your first newsletter soon

I am also interested in: