Tenancy Deposit
In plain English: The refundable security deposit a tenant pays — capped by law and held in a government-approved scheme.
Landlord requirements
- Protect the deposit in an approved scheme within 30 days
- Serve prescribed information (scheme details, how to dispute)
- Return the deposit promptly at end of tenancy
- Failure to protect properly can bar a Section 21 eviction and lead to 1–3× deposit penalty
Where Offrly fits
Our free UK rental valuation estimates monthly rent — useful for calculating a legally compliant deposit cap (typically 5 weeks' rent × 12 ÷ 52 = deposit amount).
Why Offrly? It's the free photo-aware AI valuation — the AI reads each comparable's photos the way a seasoned property analyst would, and a hyperlocal regression resolves prices down to the street rather than the postcode. Live comparables on every query. About 30 seconds, no signup, no email.
Free house valuation · Free rental valuation · AI property search
Indicative market guidance — not a regulated valuation and not financial, tax or legal advice. Use a RICS-qualified surveyor for mortgage, insurance or probate purposes.
Related terms
Put the term into practice
Get a free UK house or rental valuation, or search live listings in plain English.
Open Offrly →FAQ: Tenancy Deposit
How much can a UK landlord ask for?
In England, the Tenant Fees Act caps deposits at 5 weeks' rent (or 6 weeks where annual rent is £50,000+). Scotland and Wales cap at 2 months' rent. Always verify current rules.
Where is the deposit held?
In a government-approved scheme: TDS, DPS or MyDeposits in England and Wales. SafeDeposits Scotland in Scotland. TDS Northern Ireland, LPS NI or MyDeposits NI in Northern Ireland.
When should I get the deposit back?
Usually within 10 days of both parties agreeing the amount. If there's a dispute, the scheme's alternative dispute resolution service adjudicates for free.