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What is “prescribed information”?

Posted on by COOK LEGAL SOLICITORS

If you’ve paid a deposit for a rental property in London, you’ll often hear the term prescribed information. It’s the written “deposit protection details pack” your landlord or letting agent must give you after they take your deposit, so you can verify your deposit protection scheme and understand how you get your money back.

This article is general information, not legal advice.

1) What does prescribed information mean?

For most private renters on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (England & Wales), landlords/agents must protect the deposit and provide specific written information within 30 days of receiving the deposit.

That information is called tenancy deposit prescribed information because the law “prescribes” (sets out) exactly what must be provided.

2) What must the prescribed information include?

Government guidance summarises what landlords must tell tenants within 30 days, including:

  • The property address
  • The deposit amount paid
  • How the deposit is protected
  • the name and contact details of the tenancy deposit scheme and its dispute resolution service
  • the landlord’s/agent’s name and contact details
  • the name/contact details of any third party who paid the deposit
  • why the landlord may keep some/all of the deposit (typical deduction reasons)
  • how to apply to get the deposit back

The underlying legal instrument (the 2007 Prescribed Information Order) also specifies the scheme administrator details and other required content, and is the technical reference point for what must be served.

3) What does it look like in real life?

In practice, prescribed information often arrives as one or more of the following:

Example A: A “Deposit Protection Certificate” + scheme leaflet

You might receive a certificate (PDF/email or paper) showing the scheme, deposit reference number, and tenancy details, plus a scheme leaflet/terms explaining dispute resolution and how repayment works.

Some schemes publish template “Prescribed Information” forms landlords can use. For example, DPS explains landlords/agents must serve prescribed information within 30 days and that it’s their responsibility (not DPS) to provide it.

Example B: An email from the letting agent with the required details

Many agents send a single email listing the required items (scheme name, contacts, amount, property, and how to dispute deductions) and attach a deposit certificate.

Example C: A tenancy pack section titled “Deposit protection”

Some letting packs include a section that repeats the key points and includes an ADR (alternative dispute resolution) summary.

If you cannot find anything like this in your inbox, tenancy portal, or paperwork, you may be dealing with prescribed information missing.

4) Why prescribed information matters (for renters and landlords)

For renters

It tells you:

  • where your deposit is protected and how to verify it
  • how to request the return of the deposit
  • what happens if deductions are disputed

This is especially important if the tenancy ends badly and you face a dispute over a deposit refund under UK law. Government guidance notes that deposits should be returned within 10 days once both parties agree on the amount.

For landlords/agents

Serving the correct prescribed information within 30 days is a core compliance step. Missing it can create exposure even if the deposit was eventually protected.

5) Prescribed information missing: when it strengthens a claim

If the rules apply to your tenancy, and the landlord/agent fails to:

  • protect the deposit within 30 days, or
  • give the required written information within 30 days, or
  • keep the deposit protected throughout the tenancy,

Then the tenant may be able to bring a deposit compensation claim. Shelter explains that courts can order compensation of 1 to 3 times the deposit where deposit protection rules are broken.

Citizens Advice also sets out that you may be able to claim 1-3x the deposit where the landlord did not follow the deposit rules (including protection timing).

Important nuance:

  • Prescribed information missing can be a breach on its own (even if the deposit was protected).
  • The strength of a claim depends on facts: tenancy type, dates, who took the deposit, whether information was served correctly, and whether it was served late.

6) What to do next (step-by-step)

If you are a renter

  1. Check the three schemes (DPS, TDS, mydeposits) for your deposit record.
  2. Search your inbox for: “deposit certificate”, “prescribed information”, “DPS/TDS/mydeposits”, “deposit ID”.
  3. Request prescribed information in writing from the landlord/agent (email is fine). Keep a copy.
  4. Save evidence: tenancy agreement, proof of payment, screenshots of scheme searches, and landlord/agent replies.
  5. If the deposit wasn’t protected or the information wasn’t served properly, consider getting advice on options and next steps.

If you are a landlord/agent

  • If you discover that you did not serve prescribed information correctly, seek advice promptly and ensure that future tenancies follow a compliant process. DPS notes it is the landlord/agent’s responsibility to serve it (not the scheme).

If you believe your deposit protection paperwork is incomplete or you suspect prescribed information is missing, Cook Legal Solicitors can review your position.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s the written deposit-protection information a landlord/agent must give you within 30 days, including scheme details, how to get the deposit back, and dispute steps.

Within 30 days of the landlord/agent receiving your deposit (England & Wales).

It may still be a breach of the rules. Depending on the facts, it can support a compensation claim get advice tailored to your tenancy.

Courts can award 1 to 3 times the deposit amount where deposit protection rules are broken.

Often, a deposit certificate plus scheme information/terms, or an email/pack that includes all required items (scheme contact details, deposit amount, property address, repayment/dispute process).

Yes, government guidance includes scheme dispute resolution service contact details and how to apply to get the deposit back.

Need help or advice?

Contact Cook Legal Solicitors today:

📞 0151 203 3599
🌐 www.cooklegalsolicitors.co.uk
 📧 enquiries@cooklegalsolicitors.co.uk

We act for tenants nationwide. No win, no fee may be available on qualifying housing disrepair cases.

COOK LEGAL SOLICITORS