When you must give the prescribed information
If you take a tenancy deposit for a property in England, you must do two things within 30 days of receiving it:
- Protect the deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme.
- Give the tenant, and anyone who paid the deposit for them, the prescribed information.
The rules are in section 213 of the Housing Act 2004. The information you must give is listed in article 2 of the Housing (Tenancy Deposits) (Prescribed Information) Order 2007. Both duties apply whether the deposit is paid by the tenant or by someone else for them, such as a parent.
What the prescribed information must include
Your PDF covers each item in numbered sections:
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 1. The scheme | Scheme name, whether it is custodial or insured, and its address, phone, email and website. |
| 2. The deposit | Amount, date received, date protected, protection reference, rent (optional) and the property address. |
| 3. The landlord | Name, address, phone and email, plus your letting agent’s details if you use one. |
| 4. The tenants | Each tenant’s name, address during the tenancy, forwarding address, phone and email. |
| 5. Relevant person | Anyone who paid the deposit on the tenant’s behalf, such as a parent. |
| 6. Release of the deposit | How the tenant applies to get the deposit back at the end of the tenancy. |
| 7. Deductions | When all or part of the deposit may be kept, with reference to the tenancy terms. |
| 8. Disputes | How disputes are resolved, including the scheme’s free dispute resolution service. |
| 9. Landlord cannot be contacted | What the tenant should do if they cannot reach you at the end of the tenancy. |
| 10. Scheme leaflet | Confirmation that you gave the tenant the scheme’s leaflet or terms and conditions. |
| 11–12. Certificate and confirmation | The landlord’s certificate that the information is accurate, and a signature line for each tenant. |
If you leave sections 6, 7 and 8 blank, we use standard wording that matches your scheme type. You can replace it with your scheme’s own wording.
Check the deposit is within the legal cap
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 caps tenancy deposits. If you enter the rent, our tool checks the deposit against the cap and warns you if it is too high. Any excess must be refunded.
| Annual rent | Maximum deposit |
|---|---|
| Below £50,000 | Five weeks’ rent |
| £50,000 or more | Six weeks’ rent |
| Holding deposit (any rent) | One week’s rent |
| Step | Worked example |
|---|---|
| Rent | £1,200 per month. |
| Annual rent | £1,200 × 12 = £14,400. This is below £50,000, so the cap is five weeks. |
| Weekly rent | £14,400 ÷ 52 = £276.92 (rounded down to the penny). |
| Maximum deposit | £276.92 × 5 = £1,384.60. |
The same method works for any rent. Convert the rent to an annual figure, divide by 52 and round down to the penny to get the weekly rent, then multiply by five or six. A holding deposit is capped at one week’s rent.
| Rent | Annual rent | Weekly rent | Cap | Maximum deposit | Maximum holding deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £650 per month | £7,800 | £150.00 | 5 weeks | £750.00 | £150.00 |
| £950 per month | £11,400 | £219.23 | 5 weeks | £1,096.15 | £219.23 |
| £1,500 per month | £18,000 | £346.15 | 5 weeks | £1,730.75 | £346.15 |
| £2,400 per month | £28,800 | £553.84 | 5 weeks | £2,769.20 | £553.84 |
| £275 per week | £14,300 | £275.00 | 5 weeks | £1,375.00 | £275.00 |
| £550 per fortnight | £14,300 | £275.00 | 5 weeks | £1,375.00 | £275.00 |
| £1,150 every four weeks | £14,950 | £287.50 | 5 weeks | £1,437.50 | £287.50 |
| £4,166 per month | £49,992 | £961.38 | 5 weeks | £4,806.90 | £961.38 |
| £4,167 per month | £50,004 | £961.61 | 6 weeks | £5,769.66 | £961.61 |
| £4,200 per month | £50,400 | £969.23 | 6 weeks | £5,815.38 | £969.23 |
Two things to notice. First, rounding is always down: £28,800 ÷ 52 is £553.846…, so the weekly rent is £553.84, not £553.85. Second, the cap jumps at £50,000 a year. At £4,166 a month the annual rent is just below £50,000, so the cap is five weeks. At £4,167 it is £50,004, so six weeks apply.
Use the free deposit cap calculator to check any rent.
Working out the 30-day deadline
Both deadlines run from the date you receive the deposit, not from the start of the tenancy. Our compliance calendar counts 30 calendar days from that date. Weekends and bank holidays are not skipped, so do not leave it to the last day.
| Deposit received | Protect it and give the information by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 5 October 2026 | Wednesday 4 November 2026 | A simple case. |
| Friday 23 October 2026 | Sunday 22 November 2026 | The last day is a Sunday. Aim to finish by Friday 20 November 2026. |
| Wednesday 28 October 2026, tenancy starts Monday 2 November 2026 | Friday 27 November 2026 | The deadline runs from receipt, so it is earlier than 30 days after the start date. |
The safest approach is to protect the deposit on the day you receive it, and give the prescribed information as soon as you have the protection reference. Read more in our guide to deposit protection deadlines and penalties.
Custodial or insured scheme: which wording applies
- Custodial scheme: the scheme holds the deposit. At the end of the tenancy, landlord and tenant agree the amounts and either can ask the scheme to repay it.
- Insured scheme: you or your agent hold the deposit. Once you and the tenant agree the amounts, you repay it. If you cannot agree, the scheme asks you to pay the disputed amount to it until the dispute is resolved.
| Custodial scheme | Insured scheme | |
|---|---|---|
| Who holds the deposit during the tenancy | The scheme. | You or your letting agent. |
| At the end, if you agree the amounts | Either of you asks the scheme to repay it. | You repay it to the tenant. |
| At the end, if you cannot agree | The scheme holds the money until the dispute is resolved. | The scheme asks you to pay the disputed amount to it until the dispute is resolved. |
| Free dispute resolution | Available through the scheme. | Available through the scheme. |
Choose the type that matches your protection certificate. Our standard release wording changes to suit the type you pick. Check the scheme details against your certificate before you give the document.
How to fill in the prescribed information, step by step
- Confirm the property is in England and enter its address.
- Enter your details as landlord, and your agent’s if you use one.
- Add every tenant. Add a forwarding address if you have one, as it helps the deposit be returned.
- Add a relevant person only if someone else paid the deposit for the tenant.
- Enter the scheme name, type and contact details from your protection certificate.
- Enter the deposit amount, the date you received it, the date you protected it and the protection reference. Our tool warns you if protection was more than 30 days after receipt.
- Optionally enter the rent, so we can check the deposit cap.
- Use our standard wording for release, deductions and disputes, or paste in your scheme’s wording.
- Confirm you have given the scheme leaflet, say who is signing, and enter the date you will give the document.
Our tool runs two checks as you type. It warns you if the protection date is more than 30 days after the date you received the deposit, and, if you enter the rent, it warns you if the deposit is above the cap. Fix any warning before you pay. The preview shows exactly what your tenant will receive, so read every section, especially the scheme details and protection reference.
How to give it to your tenant (and prove it)
Give the document to every tenant, and to any relevant person, within 30 days of receiving the deposit. Give the scheme leaflet with it.
- Sign the landlord’s certificate.
- Ask each tenant to sign the confirmation section, and keep the signed copy.
- Keep proof of when and how you gave it, such as a certificate of posting or the sent email with the PDF attached.
For joint tenants, give each tenant their own copy rather than one copy for the household. If you post or email it, keep a certificate of posting or the sent email for each person. See how to serve a notice for the methods and proof we suggest.
Checklist before you give the prescribed information
- The deposit is within the cap for the rent.
- The deposit is protected, and you have the protection certificate and reference.
- The scheme name, type and contact details match the certificate.
- The date you received the deposit and the date you protected it are correct.
- Every tenant is listed, with a forwarding address if you have one.
- Any relevant person who paid the deposit is listed and will get a copy.
- The release, deductions and disputes wording matches your scheme type.
- You have the scheme leaflet or terms and conditions ready to give with it.
- The landlord’s certificate is signed.
- You will give it within 30 days of receiving the deposit, and keep proof.
If you are setting up a new tenancy, the compliance pack includes this document with the written statement and a safety compliance record, using the same details throughout.
Common mistakes and what happens if you are late
- Protecting the deposit or giving the information more than 30 days after receiving the deposit.
- Giving the information to the lead tenant only, and not to every tenant or relevant person.
- Scheme details or the protection reference that do not match the certificate.
- Forgetting the scheme leaflet or terms and conditions.
- Taking a deposit above the cap, often by rounding the weekly rent up instead of down.
- Counting the 30 days from the tenancy start date instead of the date the deposit was received.
- Leaving out a relevant person who paid the deposit for the tenant.
- Choosing the wrong scheme type, so the release wording does not match how the deposit is held.
Failing to comply can lead to a penalty of 1 to 3 times the deposit. If you are late, still give the information as soon as possible, and consider taking legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to give the prescribed information?
You must protect the deposit and give the prescribed information within 30 days of receiving the deposit. The 30 days run from the date you receive the money, not from the tenancy start date. Our compliance calendar counts 30 calendar days, including weekends and bank holidays.
Is the deposit protection certificate enough?
The prescribed information must name the scheme, explain how to get the deposit back and explain how disputes are resolved. Our document sets out each item listed in article 2 of the 2007 Order, alongside the scheme details from your certificate.
What happens if I give it late?
Failing to comply can lead to a penalty of 1 to 3 times the deposit. Give the information as soon as you can, and consider taking legal advice. Our guide to deposit protection deadlines and penalties explains the timing in more detail.
How much deposit can I take?
Five weeks’ rent where annual rent is below £50,000, and six weeks’ rent at or above it. For £1,200 a month, the maximum is £1,384.60. A holding deposit is capped at one week’s rent. Check any rent with the deposit cap calculator.
How is the weekly rent worked out for the cap?
Multiply the rent to get the annual rent (12 for monthly, 52 for weekly, 26 for fortnightly, 13 for four-weekly). Divide by 52 and round down to the penny. For £950 a month: £11,400 ÷ 52 = £219.23, so the five-week cap is £1,096.15.
What if the annual rent is exactly £50,000?
The six-week cap applies at £50,000 or more. Five weeks applies only where the annual rent is below £50,000. For example, £4,166 a month (£49,992 a year) has a five-week cap, while £4,167 a month (£50,004 a year) has a six-week cap.
Who needs a copy?
Every tenant, and any relevant person who paid the deposit on the tenant’s behalf, such as a parent. Giving it only to the lead tenant is a common mistake. Ask each person to sign the confirmation section, and keep proof of when and how you gave each copy.
What is a relevant person?
Someone who paid all or part of the deposit for the tenant, such as a parent or other relative. They must get the prescribed information too. Add them in section 5 of our document. Leave the section out if the tenant paid the deposit themselves.
Does the tenant need to sign it?
The document includes a landlord’s certificate and a confirmation for each tenant to sign. Keep the signed copy as evidence that you gave it. If a tenant will not sign, keep other proof, such as a certificate of posting or the sent email with the PDF attached.
What is the difference between a custodial and an insured scheme?
In a custodial scheme, the scheme holds the deposit. In an insured scheme, you or your agent hold it, and pay the disputed amount to the scheme if you and the tenant cannot agree at the end. Choose the type shown on your protection certificate.
Can I use my scheme’s own wording?
Yes. You can paste in your scheme’s wording for release, deductions, disputes and what to do if you cannot be contacted. If you leave these blank, we use standard wording for your scheme type. Check it matches your scheme’s current terms.
What if I took a deposit above the cap?
Any amount above the cap must be refunded to the tenant. Work out the cap with our calculator, refund the excess, and make sure the prescribed information shows the correct amount you are protecting. Our tool warns you if the deposit you enter is above the cap.
Is this a gov.uk form?
No. There is no gov.uk form for the prescribed information. The 2007 Order lists what you must tell the tenant, not the layout. Our document sets out each item in the order the Order lists them, with version DPI-2026-05 shown on this page.