Deposit protection scheme

The landlord or letting agent must protect the deposit within 30 days of receiving the money and give the tenant details of which scheme the deposit is registered with, along with a copy of the prescribed information.

The deposit should remain untouched until the end of the tenancy.

When the tenancy ends, the landlord and tenant should discuss whether there should be any deductions from the deposit for rent arrears or damages. The tenant should be made aware of any cause for deductions within 10 working days from the end of the tenancy, and within a reasonable time thereafter, should be advised of the amount of those deductions. When an amount is agreed, the landlord should return the deposit as soon as possible.

If the landlord and tenant cannot agree on how much money should be deducted from the deposit, they will have to use the 'alternative dispute resolution' service offered by their scheme provider. The provider will give an impartial evaluation to resolve the situation. This decision is final and monies will be released accordingly.