Protecting your deposit in a government-approved scheme is only half of your landlord's legal obligation; they must also serve you with the prescribed information within 30 days of receiving the deposit. These are two separate requirements, and failing on either one carries the same penalties.
The prescribed information must include the name and contact details of the deposit protection scheme used, an explanation of how the scheme's dispute resolution process works, what happens if either party is uncontactable at the end of the tenancy, the circumstances under which all or part of the deposit may be retained (by reference to the terms of your tenancy agreement), and a signed certificate from the landlord or agent confirming that the information is accurate.
If your landlord protects your deposit but fails to serve the prescribed information, or serves it late, they're in breach. Under the Housing Act 2004, you can make a claim to the county court for compensation of between one and three times the value of your deposit. Since the Renters' Rights Act 2025, a landlord who hasn't complied with deposit protection requirements (including serving prescribed information) is blocked from using most Section 8 grounds for possession. This means they effectively cannot evict you until the breach is fixed.
Most deposit protection schemes provide a standard prescribed information form that landlords can download and complete. It must be served within the 30-day deadline and must be re-served if any of the details change, such as a change of landlord, a change of scheme, or a change in the deposit amount.
You pay a deposit of £1,200 when you move into a flat. Your landlord registers it with TDS within two weeks, but doesn't send you the prescribed information. Six months later, a dispute arises over the condition of the property.
Because your landlord failed to serve the prescribed information, they cannot rely on most Section 8 grounds to evict you, and you can claim compensation of between £1,200 and £3,600 through the county court, on top of any deposit dispute outcome.
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