Tenancy Deposits & Deposit Protection Schemes: Renter's Guide

Handing over a deposit worth several weeks' rent to a landlord you've never met can feel risky, especially as an international student unfamiliar with UK rental law. The good news: the law is strongly on your side, provided you know what to check.

Why Deposit Protection Schemes exist

Since 2007, any landlord in England and Wales taking a deposit for an assured shorthold tenancy is legally required to protect it in one of three government-approved schemes:

• Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
• MyDeposits
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)

These schemes hold your deposit securely (or insure it, in the case of insurance-backed schemes) so a landlord cannot simply keep it or spend it during your tenancy without following the correct process.

What your landlord must legally do

1. Place your deposit in a scheme within 30 days of receiving it.
2. Give you written confirmation ("prescribed information") stating which scheme is used, the deposit amount, and how to raise a dispute.
3. Provide contact details for the scheme and the landlord or agent.
4. Never charge you a deposit of more than 5 weeks' rent (or 6 weeks if annual rent exceeds £50,000).

Checking your deposit is actually protected

Within a month of paying your deposit, verify it directly:

• Search the DPS custodial checker, MyDeposits or TDS using your name or tenancy reference
• Confirm the amount matches what you actually paid
• Keep the prescribed information letter or email safe for the whole tenancy

Protecting your right to a full refund

1. Take dated photos and video of every room, including existing damage, on move-in day.
2. Keep a copy of the signed inventory — insist on one if your landlord doesn't provide it.
3. Clean thoroughly before move-out, matching the property's condition at check-in, professional cleaning receipts if required by your contract.
4. Settle all bills — unpaid utility bills (see our guide to splitting energy bills in a shared house) are one of the most common reasons landlords make deposit deductions.
5. Request your deposit back in writing promptly at the end of your tenancy, and follow up if it isn't returned within 10 days of agreement on the amount.

Watch out for deposit scams before you even move in

Before paying any deposit, especially from abroad, confirm the property and landlord are genuine — our guide on scams targeting international students covers rental fraud red flags in detail, including landlords who refuse video viewings or demand payment to a personal account with no mention of a protection scheme.

Budgeting for move-in costs

Your deposit is usually the largest one-off cost in your first month, alongside your first rent payment. Factor it into your wider financial plan using our Oxford cost of living guide, and make sure your UK bank account (see our Monzo vs Starling vs Revolut comparison) is ready to receive the refund at the end of your tenancy.

If you'd like support finding a verified landlord and a tenancy with a properly protected deposit from the outset, Arrive UK's accommodation service works only with reputable Oxford landlords and agents, taking much of the risk out of renting from abroad.