Landlords & Property2 min check

Tenancy Deposit Protection Checker

Find out whether a deposit is within the Tenant Fees Act cap and properly protected. Useful for landlords and tenants.

Short answer

In England & Wales tenancy deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme (DPS, MyDeposits or TDS) within 30 days of receipt, with prescribed information given to the tenant. Failure means 1×–3× deposit penalty and no Section 21 eviction is possible.

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Calculation method, coverage and version

Inputs used: Annual rent, Deposit taken, Is the deposit in an approved scheme (DPS, MyDeposits, TDS)?, Was prescribed information given within 30 days of receipt?.
Calculation approach: The calculator applies the rules and assumptions described in “How it works” to the values you enter. Rounding can cause small differences from an official or provider calculation.
Coverage: Landlords & Property. UK nations, tax treatment, local rules and provider criteria can differ; check the official sources shown below before acting.
Content version: No page-specific review date is currently published. Treat the result as indicative and verify current rules independently.

Not included unless explicitly requested: personal circumstances not entered, provider discretion, future rule changes, professional fees and case-specific exceptions. Read the full calculator methodology.

Primary sources and official verification

Use these official sources to verify current rules before acting. Coverage and dates can differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

See the sitewide source policy.

How it works

We check timing (received vs protected), scheme registration, and whether prescribed information was issued. Any failure removes the right to use Section 21 until rectified, and the tenant can claim a court penalty.

Worked example

Deposit £1,500 received 1 March, protected 5 April (35 days late) → breach. Tenant can claim 1×–3× = £1,500–£4,500 in court, and landlord cannot serve s.21 until deposit is returned in full.

Who should use this

•Landlords self-managing tenancies
•Letting agents auditing compliance
•Tenants checking their deposit is properly protected

Common mistakes

×Protecting late and assuming a refund fixes it (penalty still claimable)
×Not re-issuing prescribed information at renewal (post-Superstrike)
×Holiday lets / lodgers — protection rules are different
×Using a non-approved scheme abroad

Frequently asked questions

How do I check my deposit is protected?▾

Search the DPS, MyDeposits or TDS website with your postcode and tenancy start date.

Can the deposit be more than 5 weeks rent?▾

No — Tenant Fees Act 2019 caps deposits at 5 weeks' rent (or 6 if annual rent exceeds £50k).

What's prescribed information?▾

A document setting out scheme details, dispute process and the deposit terms — must be given to all relevant persons (tenants and guarantors).

Related calculators

Section 21 Notice Checker →Landlord Compliance →Rent Increase →