Is my deposit protected by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme?
Insured protection
If your landlord or agent holds your deposit, your deposit may be protected with our Insured scheme. Please go to TDS Insured for information about our Insured scheme. You will have a reference number in the format 7sgjw2 if your deposit is protected with our Insured scheme.
The agent or landlord holds the deposit and we have insurance covering it. If the agent or landlord fails to pay money that they owe, we can refund the tenant and claim it from our insurance. We pursue them separately to recover money that they owe.
Custodial protection
If TDS holds your deposit it is protected using our Custodial scheme and the following information will apply. You will have a reference number in the format EW00000000 if your deposit is protected with our Custodial scheme.
We hold the deposit in a designated account. We only release the funds when both parties agree or following a decision by a TDS adjudicator.
Both forms of protection include free dispute resolution, whereby the tenant can refer a disagreement over the repayment of the deposit to us for impartial adjudication. Adjudication is mandatory when requested by the tenant.