Tenancy Deposit Protection: The 30-Day Deadline
For an assured shorthold tenancy deposit that must be protected, the deadline runs from receipt of the money. Protection alone is not the entire task: the tenant and any relevant person must also receive the required prescribed information.
Count from the date the deposit is received
A landlord or agent must protect an eligible deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it. Record the receipt date and retain evidence of the transaction rather than counting from the tenancy start by habit.
The safest operational approach is to act immediately. A calendar result is a backstop, not a reason to wait until day 30.
Prescribed information has the same time limit
Within the same 30-day period, provide the scheme and tenancy information required by the rules. This includes information about the deposit, the property, the scheme and how repayment or disputes are handled.
Use the chosen scheme’s current process and make sure any certificate or declaration that requires signatures is completed correctly. Keep proof of what was sent and when.
Late compliance has real consequences
A tenant can apply to court where the rules were not followed. The court can order repayment or protection and may require a payment of up to three times the deposit. Deposit non-compliance can also affect possession action.
Do not assume late protection automatically repairs every consequence. Get advice on an existing breach, especially before serving possession paperwork.
A simple deposit workflow
Record the receipt date, protect the money, issue the prescribed information and save delivery evidence. If another person paid the deposit, check whether they are a relevant person who must also receive information.
This guide covers the national deposit-protection process, not every tenancy type or replacement-tenant scenario.
Frequently asked questions
No. GOV.UK states 30 days, not 30 working days.
No. The required prescribed information must also be given within the deadline.
Official sources
Further reading
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This guide is general information, not legal advice. We review time-sensitive claims against official sources; see our editorial policy. Always check GOV.UK or a professional for your situation.