1 March 2026
UK Tenancy Deposit Rules: What Every International Student Must Know
How much can your landlord charge as a deposit? What schemes protect it? What happens if they don't comply? Everything explained.
What is a tenancy deposit?
A tenancy deposit is money paid to your landlord before you move in, held as security against damage, unpaid rent, or other breaches of your tenancy agreement. In England, the maximum deposit a landlord can charge is 5 weeks' rent for annual rents under ยฃ50,000.
How is the deposit protected?
UK law requires landlords to protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it. There are three approved schemes: Deposit Protection Service (DPS), MyDeposits, and Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). Your landlord must give you details of the scheme used.
What if your deposit is not protected?
If your landlord fails to protect your deposit or provide the required information within 30 days, you can apply to court for a penalty of 1 to 3 times the deposit amount. This is a significant legal right โ don't ignore it.
Getting your deposit back
At the end of your tenancy, your landlord must return your deposit within 10 days of you both agreeing on the amount. If there is a dispute, the scheme provides free arbitration. Keep a detailed inventory with photos when you move in.
Common illegal deductions
Landlords cannot deduct for fair wear and tear โ normal use of the property over time. They also cannot charge for professional cleaning unless the property was professionally cleaned before you moved in and the contract requires it.
Protect yourself before you sign
RentalSafe UK analyses your tenancy agreement with AI โ identifying red flags, verifying your landlord, and giving you negotiation scripts. From ยฃ29.
Get Your Report โ