Overview of Tenancy Deposit Protection

Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) adds to measures, set out in the Housing Act 2004, to raise standards in the private rented sector. Those measures include licensing multiple occupancy homes and new safety rules.

TDP applies to all assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) in England and Wales, where a deposit is taken. Virtually all new contracts to let a property are ASTs.

TDP started on 6 April 2007 and applies to all new ASTs from that date.

There are two main aims:

To ensure good practice in deposit handling, so that when a tenant pays a deposit, and is entitled to get it back, he or she can be assured that this will happen.

To assist with the resolution of disputes by having an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service. It will also encourage tenants and landlords to agree - at the start of the tenancy - the condition and contents of the property.

Tenancy Deposit Protection in summary

Landlords and agents are required to protect their tenants' deposits under a statutory tenancy deposit scheme.

This means that deposits are safeguarded.

If tenants have kept the property in good condition and paid the rent, and made sure that any other charges due under the tenancy are up to date, they will be able to get their deposit back.

The schemes offer a free service to assist in resolving disputes.

For further information on the various deposit schemes please visit ;