UK Tenancy Deposit Protection Schemes
Scheme Name | Protection Type | Protection Deadline | Receipt Reference Details | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
England and Wales | ||||
Deposit Protection Service | Both | Within 30 days of receipt | Deposit ID, certificate or repayment ID, property and parties | https://www.depositprotection.com/ |
mydeposits | Both | Within 30 days of receipt | Deposit protection certificate with DPC number and tenancy details | https://www.mydeposits.co.uk/ |
Tenancy Deposit Scheme | Both | Within 30 days of receipt | TDS certificate or tenancy reference and prescribed information | https://www.tenancydepositscheme.com/ |
Scotland | ||||
SafeDeposits Scotland | Custodial | Within 30 working days of tenancy start | Deposit account number, tenancy details and deposit amount | https://www.safedepositsscotland.com/ |
my|deposits Scotland | Custodial | Within 30 working days of tenancy start | Protection certificate with deposit reference and tenancy details | https://www.mydepositsscotland.co.uk/ |
Letting Protection Service Scotland | Custodial | Within 30 working days of tenancy start | Deposit ID or repayment ID with tenancy and property details | https://www.lettingprotectionscotland.com/ |
Northern Ireland | ||||
Tenancy Deposit Scheme Northern Ireland | Both | Protect within 14 days information within 28 days of receipt | TDS NI certificate or deposit reference and prescribed information | https://www.tdsnorthernireland.com/ |
mydeposits Northern Ireland | Both | Protect within 14 days information within 28 days of receipt | Deposit protection certificate with DPC number and tenancy details | https://www.mydepositsni.co.uk/ |
Letting Protection Service Northern Ireland | Both | Protect within 14 days information within 28 days of receipt | Deposit ID or repayment ID with tenancy and property details | https://www.lettingprotectionni.com/ |
Which UK Tenancy Deposit Scheme Should A Receipt Refer To?
For an assured shorthold tenancy in England or Wales, the receipt should identify one of the three government-authorised schemes: Deposit Protection Service, mydeposits, or Tenancy Deposit Scheme. In Scotland, the receipt should identify one of the three approved custodial schemes: SafeDeposits Scotland, my|deposits Scotland, or Letting Protection Service Scotland. In Northern Ireland, the receipt should identify one of the three approved schemes: Tenancy Deposit Scheme Northern Ireland, mydeposits Northern Ireland, or Letting Protection Service Northern Ireland.
How Quickly Must A Tenancy Deposit Be Protected In The UK?
- England and Wales: the usual deadline is 30 days after receiving the deposit, with prescribed information also required within that period.
- Scotland: the landlord must pay the deposit into an approved scheme within 30 working days of the tenancy start date.
- Northern Ireland: the deposit must generally be protected within 14 days of receipt, and prescribed information must be given within 28 days of receipt.
What Reference Details Should A Deposit Receipt Include?
A useful tenancy deposit receipt should record the scheme name, the deposit ID or certificate/reference number, the property address, the tenant name, the deposit amount, and whether the deposit is held under a custodial or insurance-backed arrangement where the scheme offers both.
Why Does The Protection Type Matter?
In a custodial scheme, the deposit is paid to and held by the scheme. In an insurance-backed scheme, the landlord or agent keeps the money but the scheme insures repayment if required. Scotland only uses approved custodial deposit schemes, while England, Wales and Northern Ireland include schemes offering custodial and insurance-backed options.
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