What is it?

This scheme protects you where you pay a cash deposit to a private landlord. It only applies if you have an ‘assured shorthold tenancy’ but this covers most private tenancies.

How is my Deposit Protected?

The landlord or the landlord’s agent must protect your deposit by using either:

•  A ‘custodial scheme’ – where the deposit is paid to the scheme, which will keep it until the end of your tenancy.

•  An ‘insurance scheme’ – where the landlord or their agent keeps your deposit but must belong to an insurance scheme. If there is then any dispute the insurance scheme can pay you back your deposit.

The landlord must tell you, within 14 days of you paying your deposit, which scheme they are using and contact details for that scheme.

Preparing an Inventory

•  When you move into a flat, it is always a good idea to make an ‘inventory’.

•  This is a list of furniture and other items in the flat and notes about the condition of the flat and its contents.

•  This can be useful in case of later disputes.

•  It is also a good idea to keep a record of all the rent payments you make.

What happens if the landlord fails to protect my deposit?

•  If the landlord fails to protect your deposit and give you the information required within 14 days, you can apply to the county court for an order to return your deposit or pay it into one of the schemes.

•  The court can also order that the landlord cannot evict you at the end of your shorthold tenancy (often 6 months or a year).