Tenancy deposits: protecting it, fixing problems and getting it back
Getting the deposit wrong is one of the most common reasons landlords lose possession cases — and it can cost up to three times the deposit.
Answer three quick questions and we'll show you where you stand.
The deposit, start to finish
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1
Take no more than the cap
Six weeks if annual rent is £50,000 or more; holding deposit max one week.
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2
Protect it
DPS, mydeposits or TDS, plus the prescribed information to the tenant.
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3
Check out
Compare against the move-in inventory with dated photos.
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4
Agree deductions
Disputes go to the scheme's free adjudication.
Common questions
How much deposit can a landlord take?
Five weeks' rent where annual rent is under £50,000, or six weeks if it's £50,000 or more. A holding deposit is capped at one week's rent.
What if I didn't protect the deposit?
The tenant can claim one to three times the deposit, and you can't use most possession grounds until it's put right. Get advice on how to fix it.
What if the tenant disputes deductions?
Each government-approved scheme offers free adjudication. Your move-in inventory, check-out report and photos are the key evidence.
Sources: GOV.UK: tenancy deposit protection. Checked 31 Oct 2026. General information, not legal advice.