Your landlord must protect your deposit and tell you where. If they did not, you may be able to claim compensation.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is being brought in over phases. Since 1 May 2026, section 21 "no-fault" evictions have been abolished, most tenancies are now periodic (rolling), and rent increases follow a reformed process. Some parts, like Awaab's law for private tenants, are still to come. Each point below is labelled as in force or coming. Source.
In force (long-standing law)
Your deposit must be protected
For an assured tenancy, your landlord or agent must put your deposit in one of three government-backed schemes within 30 days of getting it: the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, or the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
Within the same 30 days they must give you the "prescribed information": which scheme holds it, how much, the address, and how to get it back or raise a dispute.
You can apply to the county court. The court can order the landlord to repay or protect the deposit and to pay you between 1 and 3 times the deposit amount.
This is a real process with real effort. Get free advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice before you start.
Letter: ask your landlord to confirm deposit protection
Fill in the parts in brackets. A template, not legal advice.
Dear [landlord or agent name],
Re: deposit for [property address]
On [date] I paid a tenancy deposit of [amount]. Please confirm, within 14 days:
1. which government-backed scheme is protecting the deposit (DPS, MyDeposits or TDS);
2. the deposit protection reference or certificate; and
3. that I was given the prescribed information.
If the deposit has not been protected in line with the law, please treat this letter as a request to resolve that.
Yours sincerely,
[your name]
This is general information, not legal advice, for renters in England. For free expert help contact Shelter (0808 800 4444) or Citizens Advice.
Renter Radar gives general information on renters' rights in England and links to the official source for each point. It is not legal advice and we are not your solicitor. Legal status checked 2026-07-24. About and sources