Tenancy deposit prescribed information in England

For a private assured periodic tenancy in England, protect a tenancy deposit in an approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it. Provide the prescribed information within the same period. The clock starts when the money arrives, not when the tenant moves in.

Assured periodic tenancies replaced most private assured shorthold tenancies on 1 May 2026. Deposit protection did not end with Section 21. This guide does not set out the different rules for other UK nations or every excluded letting.

Protect the money and provide the information

Use an approved scheme: the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits or the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Follow its initial requirements and use its current prescribed-information material.

The information covers the property, deposit amount, scheme and dispute service, contact details, deductions and how the deposit is returned or disputed. Provide it to the tenants and any relevant person who paid on their behalf. Follow the scheme’s instructions for the landlord’s certification and the opportunity for the tenant to confirm the information.

The protection certificate alone is not necessarily the complete prescribed information. Use the deposit information checklist to organise the task, then check the actual documents against the scheme’s requirements.

Evidence to retain

• Receipt date and amount, plus the identity of any third-party payer.
• Protection confirmation, scheme reference and applicable scheme terms.
• The complete information and accompanying scheme leaflet as supplied.
• Dated evidence of delivery to the recipients.
• Records of changes, agreed deductions and repayment.

Keep these together in property document storage. The document service log records delivery; it does not itself prove the contents were legally sufficient.

Changes during the tenancy

Do not assume that the 1 May conversion requires a new deposit payment or a new fixed-term agreement. Check with the scheme if the deposit, landlord, tenants or other registered details change. Whether fresh protection or information is needed depends on the facts and applicable rules.

Missing the deadline

A tenant can apply to the county court. Where the legal conditions are met, the court can order repayment or protection and an award of between one and three times the deposit. Late action does not automatically remove liability.

Under the current England possession rules, deposit compliance can also restrict a possession order. The official guidance describes ways the restriction can be satisfied and exceptions for specified grounds, including antisocial behaviour. Read the current possession guidance and get advice before relying on a remedy.

Historical Section 21 evidence

There is no new Section 21 route for private assured tenancies in England. The last possible claim-start date on a qualifying pre-May notice was 31 July 2026; proceedings started in time may continue. Preserve deposit evidence for any such case and use the historical notices guide.

Does TenancyVault protect the deposit?

No. Deposit protection must be arranged with an approved scheme. Free includes one property, document storage and reminders. Compliance pack export is available from Solo and organises records you have supplied; it does not complete the scheme’s duties for you.