Which schemes should I check?

Check the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. These are the approved tenancy deposit schemes in England.

What if the scheme cannot find my deposit?

Save the failed-search evidence, ask the landlord for proof, and consider a section 214 claim if no approved scheme holds the deposit.

Can the landlord protect the deposit after I complain?

The landlord can protect it late, but late protection does not remove the original breach of the 30-day rule.

Do I need a certificate to claim?

No. You need evidence that the deposit was paid and that the landlord did not comply. Scheme searches and bank records are important evidence.

How do you find out which deposit scheme your money is in?

Published and maintained by the Get Renters Rights teamRules last reviewed 23 July 2026How we build these checkers

Direct answer

There are only three approved tenancy deposit schemes in England: the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. You can search each scheme online using your surname, postcode, tenancy dates, and deposit amount. Your landlord should also have given you prescribed information naming the scheme within 30 days of receiving the deposit. If none of the schemes can find your deposit, the landlord has probably breached the Housing Act 2004 deposit rules.

What the law says

Section 213(3) of the Housing Act 2004 requires the landlord to protect a tenancy deposit in an authorised scheme within 30 days of receiving it. The authorised schemes are the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Section 213(5) requires the landlord to give prescribed information identifying the scheme and explaining the return and dispute process.

If the deposit is not in any approved scheme, section 214 of the Housing Act 2004 lets you apply to the county court for the deposit to be returned and for a penalty of one to three times the deposit. Section 215 also restricts reliance on a legacy Section 21 notice where deposit requirements were not met.

Step-by-step: what to do

1. Search your emails for words such as DPS, MyDeposits, TDS, deposit certificate, prescribed information, and tenancy deposit.

2. Use the tenant lookup on the Deposit Protection Service website with your surname, postcode, and tenancy date.

3. Repeat the search on MyDeposits and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Try previous surnames, spelling variants, and the full rented address.

4. Ask the landlord or agent in writing for the scheme name, certificate number, protection date, and prescribed information.

5. If no scheme has the deposit, save screenshots of all searches and get advice about a section 214 claim.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not search only one scheme. The landlord can choose any of the three. Do not rely on the letting agent's logo or tenancy agreement wording as proof that the deposit was actually protected. Do not ignore spelling differences, especially if your name, postcode, or tenancy dates were entered incorrectly. Do not wait until the tenancy ends; the 30-day breach exists even during the tenancy.

Check all three approved schemes.
Save screenshots of failed searches.
Ask for the certificate number and protection date.
Check prescribed information as well as the scheme record.

Related guidance

Deposit checker
Check protection and compensation issues after searching the schemes.
Deposit not protected
What to claim if no approved scheme has your deposit.
Deposit protection guide
How the three approved schemes and 30-day rule work.
Prescribed information missing
What to do if scheme paperwork was not served.

Sources used for this guide

These are primary legislation and public guidance sources that support the legal-information framework used on this page.

Housing Act 2004
Primary statute for tenancy deposit protection schemes and prescribed information requirements.
GOV.UK: tenancy deposit protection
Government guidance on deposit protection schemes, deadlines, prescribed information, and dispute routes.
Deposit Protection Service official site
Official Deposit Protection Service website for checking and managing deposits protected with DPS.
mydeposits official site
Official mydeposits website for checking and managing deposits protected with mydeposits.
Tenancy Deposit Scheme official site
Official Tenancy Deposit Scheme website for checking and managing deposits protected with TDS.

Common questions

How do you find out which deposit scheme your money is in?: There are only three approved tenancy deposit schemes in England: the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. You can search each scheme online using your surname, postcode, tenancy dates, and deposit amount. Your landlord should also have given you prescribed information naming the scheme within 30 days of receiving the deposit. If none of the schemes can find your deposit, the landlord has probably breached the Housing Act 2004 deposit rules.
Which schemes should I check?: Check the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. These are the approved tenancy deposit schemes in England.
What if the scheme cannot find my deposit?: Save the failed-search evidence, ask the landlord for proof, and consider a section 214 claim if no approved scheme holds the deposit.
Can the landlord protect the deposit after I complain?: The landlord can protect it late, but late protection does not remove the original breach of the 30-day rule.
Do I need a certificate to claim?: No. You need evidence that the deposit was paid and that the landlord did not comply. Scheme searches and bank records are important evidence.

Is this legal advice?

This is legal information for renters in England, not legal advice. If you need advice on your specific facts, contact Shelter (0808 800 4444), Citizens Advice, your council, or a housing solicitor.