Guidance on Protecting Student Tenants’ Deposits

Deposit Protection was introduced in 2007 when sections 212-215 and Schedule 10 were inserted into the Housing Act 2004. Further provisions were added in 2015. Deposit Protection aims to ensure that Deposits paid by Assured Shorthold Tenants in England (including students) are kept safe and that landlords in England act properly in making deductions from deposits.

This Guidance only applies to lettings in England. New rules on deposit protection now apply in Wales under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. Please see our Renting Homes Wales group for the relevant guidance. 

This Guidance on Protecting Student Tenants’ Deposits explains the need for Tenancy Deposits to be protected in one of the official Tenancy Deposit Schemes.

The law relating to tenancy deposits has been further amended by the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (the 'TFA') which affects landlords and letting agents in England.  The TFA introduced capped security deposits.

The Guidance looks at how the Schemes work and what the Landlord and Tenant should do if there is a dispute at the end of the tenancy as to the amount of the Deposit to be returned to the Tenant.

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