Get my tenancy deposit back
See the rules your landlord must follow, how deposit protection works, and prepare a letter you review and send yourself.
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General legal information from official sources, not legal advice. You decide what to do.
What this problem is
In England and Wales, landlords must protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme and tell you how it's protected. At the end of the tenancy, the scheme holds the money until you and your landlord agree, or its free dispute service decides.
Your rights in plain English
Your deposit must be protected
England
30 days from the landlord receiving your deposit
Verified source: Tenancy deposit protection(opens in a new tab)30 days from the landlord receiving your deposit (to tell you how it is protected)
Verified source: Tenancy deposit protection(opens in a new tab)
Wales
30 days from the day you paid the deposit (the first day counts as day 1)
Verified source: Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, s. 45 — Deposit schemes(opens in a new tab)
Getting it back
England
10 days from you and the landlord agreeing how much you'll get back
Verified source: Tenancy deposit protection(opens in a new tab)
Free dispute service
England
If you disagree with your landlord about how much of the deposit should be returned, the deposit protection scheme offers a free dispute resolution service. Both of you have to agree to use it, and its decision is final.
Verified source: Tenancy deposit protection(opens in a new tab)
Key deadlines
| Place | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| England | Landlord had to protect your deposit by: 30 days (the landlord receiving your deposit) | |
| England | Landlord had to tell you how it's protected by: 30 days (the landlord receiving your deposit (to tell you how it is protected)) | |
| England | Landlord must return the agreed amount: 10 days (you and the landlord agreeing how much you'll get back) | |
| Wales | Landlord had to protect your deposit by: 30 days (the day you paid the deposit) |
The official process
Find out which scheme holds it
Check the information your landlord gave you, or ask the three approved schemes.
Ask for it back in writing
At the end of the tenancy, ask your landlord or agent to return the deposit, and say which deductions you disagree with.
Use the free dispute service
If you can't agree, the scheme's dispute service can decide. Both of you must agree to use it.
Consider a court claim
If the deposit wasn't protected, or you still can't resolve it, you can claim through the county court.
Common mistakes
- Not checking whether the deposit was protected at all.
- Leaving without photos or a signed check-out inventory.
- Agreeing to deductions you don't accept just to get some money back quickly.
Rules where you live
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Questions
Is this free?
The information on this page and your personalised results are free. If you want us to prepare a letter for you to review and send, the price is shown before you start.
How do I know if my deposit is protected?
Your landlord must tell you which scheme protects it. If they didn't, contact the approved schemes to check.
Is the Welsh process the same?
Deposits in Wales must also be protected in an approved scheme, under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. Timescales for return come from the scheme's rules.
Get help from a person
Free and low-cost help, and official bodies that can step in.
- ShelterFree housing advice for renters in England.
- Shelter CymruFree housing advice for renters in Wales.
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)A government-approved deposit protection scheme with a free dispute service.
- Deposit Protection Service (DPS)A government-approved deposit protection scheme with a free dispute service.
- mydepositsA government-approved deposit protection scheme with a free dispute service.
- Citizens AdviceFree, independent advice on housing, consumer, money and legal problems in England.
- Citizens Advice WalesFree, independent advice on housing, consumer, money and legal problems in Wales.
Sources
Every rule on this page comes from these official sources. We check them regularly.
- Tenancy deposit protectionGOV.UK · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, s. 45 — Deposit schemesThe National Archives (legislation.gov.uk) · checked 24 Oct 2026
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