Support for Tenants

Glossary

Deposit protection

Plain-English definition

Tenancy deposits in England and Wales must be protected in one of three government-approved schemes (DPS, MyDeposits, TDS) within 30 days of receipt. Failure to protect can void Section 21 notices and entitle the tenant to compensation of 1-3x the deposit.

Need help with a real housing problem?

Glossary entries explain the words. If you have a damp, mould, heating or repair problem your landlord is ignoring, we can help. Call free or start your claim online.

By: Support for Tenants editorial team

Last updated:

Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.

Was this helpful?