The short answer
In England your landlord must put your deposit in a government-approved protection scheme within 30 days of receiving it, and tell you how it is protected. At the end of the tenancy it must be returned within 10 days of you both agreeing the amount, and the scheme offers a free service to settle disagreements. At GladStay the deposit is one month’s rent, protected with the DPS insured scheme.
- Protect within
- 30 days
- Return within
- 10 days
- Legal cap
- 5 weeks’ rent
On this page9 sections
How much a deposit can be
A tenancy deposit is refundable money held against damage or unpaid rent. The Tenant Fees Act caps it at 5 weeks’ rent when the annual rent is under £50,000, and 6 weeks’ rent between £50,000 and £100,000.
At GladStay the deposit is one month’s rent, about 4.3 weeks, so it sits below the legal cap, and you can split it into two payments. For a room at £927 a month that is a £927 deposit, against a legal maximum of £1,069.
What protection means
If you rent on an assured periodic tenancy, the standard private tenancy in England since 1 May 2026, your landlord or letting agent must protect your deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit protection (TDP) scheme within 30 days of getting it. The rule applies even if someone else, such as a parent, pays the deposit for you.
| Scheme | Check your deposit |
|---|---|
| Deposit Protection Service (DPS) | depositprotection.com (opens in a new tab) |
| MyDeposits | mydeposits.co.uk (opens in a new tab) |
| Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) | tenancydepositscheme.com (opens in a new tab) |
Every scheme offers two options. In a custodial scheme, the scheme holds the money itself. In an insured scheme, the landlord or agent holds the deposit and pays the scheme to insure it; if there’s a dispute, the money goes to the scheme until it is settled.
The information you must get within 30 days
Within 30 days of receiving your deposit, your landlord must tell you:
- the address of the rented property
- how much deposit you’ve paid and how it is protected
- the name and contact details of the scheme and its dispute resolution service
- their (or their letting agent’s) name and contact details
- the name and contact details of anyone else who paid the deposit
- why they might keep some or all of the deposit
- how to apply to get the deposit back at the end of the tenancy
- what to do if you can’t reach the landlord at the end, or if there’s a dispute
Not sure it’s protected?
Contact the schemes directly: each one has a search on its website. A holding deposit doesn’t need protecting, but once you become the tenant and it becomes part of your deposit, it does.
Getting your deposit back
You get your deposit back at the end of the tenancy if you meet the terms of the agreement, don’t damage the property and pay your rent and bills. Otherwise the landlord can keep part of it, for example for rent you owe or the cost of repairs. Once you agree the amount, it must be returned within 10 days.
Protect your deposit from day one
- Keep the check-in record of the room’s condition, with photos or video.
- Report damage or repairs as soon as they happen, in writing.
- Before you leave, clean the room, remove your belongings and return every key.
- Take your own dated photos on move-out day.
- Agree any deductions in writing before the money is released.
If you disagree about deductions
While you disagree, the deposit stays protected in the scheme. Each scheme runs a free dispute resolution service: you don’t have to use it, but if you both agree to, each side sends evidence and the decision is final. If you can’t contact your landlord at all, you can raise a dispute with the scheme yourself. There may be a time limit, so contact the scheme as soon as possible.
If your deposit wasn’t protected
Write to your landlord
It is often quicker and cheaper than court, and a landlord may repay at this stage to avoid legal costs.
Apply to the county court
Use claim form N208. The court fee is currently £387, which you can claim back from the landlord if you win; you may get help with the fee on a low income or certain benefits.
What the court can order
The landlord can be ordered to repay the deposit or pay it into a scheme within 14 days, and to pay you up to 3 times the deposit.
Get legal advice before applying, for example from Citizens Advice or Shelter. You don’t need a solicitor to make the claim.
How deposits work at GladStay
- One month’s rent, with the option to split it into two payments.
- Paid with the move-in balance, after the tenancy agreement is fully signed.
- Protected with a government-approved DPS insured scheme.
- Refundable at the end of your stay, subject to checks for damages, missing items, extra cleaning or unpaid rent.
- At check-in we record the room’s condition with photos or video, so both sides start from the same record.
Deposit for an average room: £927
One month’s rent, below the five-week legal cap of £1,069. You can split it into two payments.
Questions and answers
How long does my landlord have to protect my deposit?
30 days from receiving it. Within the same 30 days they must also tell you which scheme protects it and how to get it back.
Which deposit schemes are government-approved?
In England and Wales: the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), MyDeposits and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS).
What is the difference between a custodial and an insured scheme?
In a custodial scheme the scheme holds your money. In an insured scheme the landlord or agent holds it and pays the scheme to insure it; in a dispute, the money is passed to the scheme until it is settled.
How quickly should I get my deposit back?
Within 10 days of you and your landlord agreeing how much you will get back.
What if my landlord didn’t protect my deposit?
Write to them first. If that fails, you can claim at the county court, which can order the landlord to repay or protect the deposit and pay you up to 3 times its value.
Is a holding deposit protected?
No. A holding deposit doesn’t have to be protected, but once you become the tenant and it becomes part of your deposit, it must be.
Is my GladStay deposit protected?
Yes. Your tenancy deposit is protected with a government-approved DPS insured scheme, and it is refundable at the end of your stay, subject to the usual checks.
Sources
Checked against these official sources on 25 October 2026:
- Tenancy deposit protectionGOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Tenancy deposit protection: information landlords must give tenantsGOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Tenancy deposit protection: if your landlord does not protect your depositGOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Deposit protection schemes and landlordsGOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Assured periodic tenancies: rent in advance and depositsGOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Deposit Protection ServiceDPS (government-approved scheme) (opens in a new tab)
About this guide
Written by the GladStay team: 1,500+ tenants helped since 2013. We check our guides against the official sources above and update them when the rules change. This is general information for England, not legal advice: for your own situation, use the official sources or get independent advice.
A fair, protected deposit
One month’s rent, split into two payments if you need, and protected with the DPS.