Tenancy Deposit Prescribed Information — landlord obligations in England
When you take a tenancy deposit for an assured tenancy, the law requires you to give the tenant and any relevant person (like a guarantor) the required deposit information document within 30 days of receiving the deposit. This information must be in a document, known as the required deposit information document, and you must keep a record that you served it. It tells the tenant which deposit protection scheme holds their deposit and explains the scheme rules.
The law that creates this obligation
Your obligations as a landlord
- Who this applies to: All landlords of assured tenancies who receive a tenancy deposit.
- When it applies: Within 30 days of receiving the deposit.
- What you must do: Serve the required deposit information document on the tenant and any relevant person, and keep a record of service (e.g., a signed receipt or certificate of posting).
What good evidence looks like
Your compliance file should contain
- Written record or document confirming this obligation has been met
- Date of compliance — email timestamp, signed receipt, or platform log
- Remind 14 days before the 30-day deadline from deposit receipt.
Upload the prescribed information document and a record of service on the tenant and any relevant person.
Record this obligation in your LettingsLedger workspace
Upload evidence, set reminders, and build a timestamped compliance record — all in one place.
Consequences of non-compliance
The tenant can apply to the county court. The court may order you to repay the deposit in full or to pay compensation of up to three times the deposit amount. For tenancies granted before 1 May 2026 still within the transitional period, failure to protect may also prevent serving a section 21 notice. Section 21 is not available for tenancies granted on or after 1 May 2026.
Further reading for landlords
LettingsLedger is a compliance evidence governance platform. It is not a legal services provider and does not provide legal advice. Content is derived from UK primary legislation at legislation.gov.uk and official GOV.UK sources. Reflects the position as at June 2026. A GovProtocol product by Pertheo Limited.