Deposit protection reminders for landlords

Published 21 October 2026 · Updated 21 October 2026

How long do I have to protect a tenancy deposit?

It depends on the day you received the money. As of October 2026, section 213 of the Housing Act 2004 requires the initial requirements of an authorised scheme to be complied with within the period of 30 days beginning with the date the deposit is received. The prescribed information for the tenant, and for any person who paid the deposit on the tenant's behalf, must be given within that same period of 30 days.

The text of section 213 in force on legislation.gov.uk applies the duty to an assured tenancy. From 1 May 2026 the section uses that wording. The 30-day period is unchanged. The deposit protection guide covers the schemes, prescribed information, and the position in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Section 213 is the England and Wales provision. The Welsh Renting Homes checklist, linked from the landlord certificates guide, states the same 30 days for a contract-holder's deposit.

This is a deadline that starts when the money arrives. It is a different kind of date from a gas safety check, an EICR or an EPC, which renew on a cycle.

The date to put in the reminder

Count 30 days beginning with the date you received the deposit. Put a reminder on or before the last day of that period, with enough room to protect the money and send the prescribed information. Protecting the deposit and forgetting the prescribed information leaves the 30-day duty unfinished.

How Gaffy reminds you

Save the scheme confirmation and the prescribed information on the property as a deposit prescribed information document, so the reference and the date sit with the tenancy.

The 30-day deadline is the day you choose, tied to when you received the money. Add a task on the property with that due date. Gaffy emails you on the day the task is due, and on later days while the task stays open and overdue. Task-due emails can be switched off in settings. The task also shows on your calendar.

You pay the deposit into an authorised scheme and send the prescribed information. Gaffy keeps the documents and reminds you about the date you set.

As of October 2026, Gaffy is free for the first month, with no card needed to start, then £12 a month for up to 5 properties, plus £4 a month for each additional property.

Start free for 1 month

Sources

Read on legislation.gov.uk. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Housing Act 2004, section 213

Deposit protection reminder FAQs

How long do landlords have to protect a deposit?

30 days beginning with the date the deposit is received, under section 213 of the Housing Act 2004. In that same period the landlord must meet the scheme's initial requirements and give the prescribed information.

Does prescribed information have its own deadline?

It uses the same 30 days. Section 213 requires the prescribed information to be given to the tenant, and to anyone who paid the deposit for them, within 30 days beginning with the date the landlord received the deposit.

How does Gaffy remind me about the 30-day deposit deadline?

Add a task on the property with a due date on or before the end of the 30 days. Gaffy emails you on the day that task is due, and on later days while it stays open and overdue. Keep the scheme confirmation and prescribed information on the property with the tenancy.

Does Gaffy protect the deposit?

You protect the deposit with an authorised scheme and send the prescribed information. Gaffy stores those documents on the property and reminds you about the task date you set.