Track deposit evidence from day one
Keep deposit receipt dates, scheme records, prescribed information, and proof of service attached to the right property. Plans start from 99p.
Deposit Prescribed Information Checklist England
This guide applies to landlords taking tenancy deposits for rented homes in England. It is practical compliance operations guidance, not legal advice.
The prescribed information step is the part of deposit protection where you tell the tenant how the deposit is protected, who is involved, and what happens if there is a dispute. Use the short checklist below to protect the deposit, serve the information, and keep evidence before the 30-day deadline becomes a problem.
Use this alongside the wider landlord compliance hub and your landlord compliance checklist for England.
Key deposit requirement
When you receive a tenancy deposit, record the receipt date, protect the deposit in an approved scheme, provide the prescribed information within 30 days, and keep dated evidence of delivery.
Quick Answer
For an assured shorthold tenancy deposit in England, the landlord or agent should protect the deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme and provide the tenant with prescribed information within 30 days of receiving the deposit.
The prescribed information should explain the rented property address, the deposit amount, how the deposit is protected, the scheme details, relevant contact details, the circumstances where deductions may be made, how the tenant can get the deposit back, and what happens if there is a dispute.
Simple Compliance Checklist
- Record the deposit receipt date, amount, payer, property address, and tenant names.
- Protect the deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it.
- Give the tenant the prescribed information, including scheme details, contact details, deposit amount, deduction rules, return process, and dispute process.
- Include any relevant third-party payer details if someone else paid the deposit.
- Keep the scheme confirmation, prescribed information copy, tenant delivery evidence, and any acknowledgement in the property file.
- Check before day 30 that protection, service, and evidence are all complete.
Evidence To Keep
- Deposit receipt record showing the date received and amount.
- Deposit protection certificate or scheme confirmation.
- Copy of the prescribed information served.
- Scheme leaflet or terms given to the tenant.
- Proof of service, such as sent email, signed acknowledgement, or portal log.
- Tenant and third-party payer contact details used in the prescribed information.
- Tenancy agreement clauses explaining deposit deductions.
- Inventory, check-in report, photos, and dated condition evidence.
Common Mistakes
Using The Tenancy Start Date As The Trigger
The 30-day deadline starts from receiving the deposit. If the deposit is paid before move-in, your internal deadline should start from the payment receipt date.
Protecting The Deposit But Not Serving Information
Deposit protection and prescribed information are separate tasks. Treat the scheme certificate as one evidence item, not the whole record.
Missing The Third-Party Payer
If a parent, rent deposit scheme, or another person pays the deposit, record their details early and check whether they need to receive information.
Keeping Evidence In Scattered Places
If evidence is spread between an inbox, bank app, agent portal, and paper file, it is harder to show the full sequence later. A property-level record is cleaner.
Where RentPilot Fits
RentPilot helps landlords keep this task repeatable across properties. Use landlord compliance software to store deposit evidence, track deadline dates, and keep tenant document records connected to the right property.
Sources Reviewed
- GOV.UK tenancy deposit protection overview.
- GOV.UK information landlords must give tenants.
- GOV.UK guidance if a deposit is not protected.
FAQ
Does This Apply Across The UK?
No. This page is written for England landlord operations. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have different rental frameworks or deposit scheme arrangements, so check the rules that apply to the property location.
Is The Prescribed Information Deadline The Same As The Protection Deadline?
Operationally, treat both as due within 30 days of receiving the deposit. Build your checklist so protection, prescribed information, and proof of service are all complete before that deadline.
Is A Deposit Certificate Enough?
Usually, no. The certificate is important evidence, but landlords should also make sure the tenant receives the full prescribed information required for the deposit and scheme.
What Should Portfolio Landlords Do Differently?
Use the same checklist for every property, but track deadlines and evidence per tenancy. Portfolio landlords should also use a central view to spot deposits received but not yet fully documented.
Next Step
Add this task to your landlord compliance checklist for England, then use RentPilot compliance tracking to store the receipt, scheme confirmation, prescribed information, and proof of service in one property record.
Next steps
Landlord Compliance Hub (England)
Use the main hub to navigate certificates, safety checks, documents, and recurring landlord duties.
Deposit Protection Deadlines in England
Check the wider 30-day deposit protection timing rules for England tenancies.
What Documents Must Landlords Give Tenants?
Place deposit prescribed information inside the wider tenant document handover process.
Landlord Compliance Software for England
Use RentPilot to track deposit deadlines, store evidence, and keep property records organised.
Last updated: 2026-05-30 | Last reviewed: 2026-06-01
How RentPilot helps
Track certificate expiry dates, store property documents, manage maintenance tasks, and keep notes and attachments per property to stay organised across multiple properties.
Track deposit evidence from day one
Keep deposit receipt dates, scheme records, prescribed information, and proof of service attached to the right property.