Deposit protection and Section 8 possession

Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, a court will not grant possession on most Section 8 grounds unless the deposit was protected in a UK Government-approved tenancy deposit scheme.

Approved schemes

Deposit Protection Service (DPS), MyDeposits, and Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). Custodial or insurance-backed routes within each.

Exceptions

Grounds 7A (severe ASB conviction) and Ground 14 (ASB) can proceed even without deposit protection. Most other grounds cannot.

Common mistakes

Failing to register within the 30-day window after receiving the deposit.

Registering with one tenant's name when more than one tenant exists.

Believing a verbal acknowledgement counts as compliance. It does not.

Source: gov.uk Guide to the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Last verified 2026-05-09. This page is informational, not legal advice. For complex disputes, consult a solicitor.