The rule, in one paragraph

A tenancy deposit in England must be protected in a government-approved scheme, TDS, DPS or mydeposits, within 30 days of receiving it, and the tenant must be served the scheme’s prescribed information. Full detail on GOV.UK: tenancy deposit protection ↗.

What getting it wrong costs

Courts can award the tenant 1 to 3 times the deposit when protection or the prescribed information is missed, and an unprotected deposit also makes possession claims harder. On an ordinary deposit that award is four figures, for paperwork that takes minutes.

Five ways it goes wrong

• Not protecting at all, usually on an informal or long-running tenancy where the deposit arrived years ago and never went anywhere.
• Protecting late. The 30 days run from receipt, not from when the paperwork feels convenient.
• Protecting but skipping the prescribed information. The scheme certificate is not the whole duty: the tenant must be served the prescribed information too.
• Forgetting re-protection when the tenancy changes.A change of tenant is a moment to check the deposit’s position, not to assume it carries over.
• Losing the certificate. The protection may exist, but in a dispute you need to produce it. If you cannot lay hands on it today, treat that as a gap.

Putting it right

If a deposit you hold is unprotected, protect it now: late is materially better than never, and the position only worsens with time. Then serve the prescribed information and file the certificate where you can find it. Our free exposure quiz checks this alongside the seven other duties that carry real consequences.

Based on UK government guidance for England, current at the date above. This guide is general information, not legal advice: for your specific situation, consult a qualified letting agent, solicitor or your local authority.