In most cases, you'll need to pay a tenancy deposit to the landlord or letting agency before renting a home or flat/house share. Typically, this deposit is 4 to 5 weeks' rent. By law, landlords and letting agents cannot ask for a deposit exceeding 5 weeks' rent, or 6 weeks' rent if your annual rent exceeds £50,000.
Your deposit must be protected in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDP), which ensures you receive it back when you move out. Even if someone else pays the deposit on your behalf, it still needs to be protected. Landlords are legally required to protect your deposit within 30 days of receiving it.
There are three TDP schemes your deposit can be protected with:
If your landlord hasn't informed you whether your deposit is protected, you can check on these websites by entering a few details, such as your postcode, surname, date of birth, and the date your tenancy began. For joint tenancies, you can enter the joint tenant’s name. If you renewed your tenancy, use the latest start date. If you're unable to verify whether your deposit is protected, you can contact any of the above TDP schemes for assistance.