Deposit Protection

At Ay’up Homes, we’re committed to protecting both tenants and landlords by ensuring every tenancy deposit is handled securely and fairly.

We use the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) — a Government-authorised scheme that safeguards deposits throughout the tenancy. This gives peace of mind to everyone involved, ensuring funds are held safely and returned fairly once the tenancy ends.

For Tenants

When you pay your deposit, it’s protected with the DPS Custodial Scheme within the legal timeframe. You’ll receive “prescribed information” confirming:

where your deposit is held,
the amount protected, and
how to contact the scheme.

Your deposit remains protected for the full duration of your tenancy. At the end of your agreement, provided you’ve met the terms (for example, paying rent on time and leaving the property in good condition), your deposit will be returned in full.

If deductions are proposed — such as for unpaid rent or damage — these will be clearly explained, and you’ll have access to the DPS’s free dispute-resolution service.

This process is designed to be transparent, fair, and quick — ensuring you never need to worry about where your deposit is or how to get it back.

For Landlords

As a landlord working with Ay’up Homes, your tenants’ deposits are automatically registered with the Deposit Protection Service on your behalf.

We take care of the legal obligations outlined in the Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST), including:

registering the deposit within 30 days of receipt,
serving the tenant with the required Prescribed Information, and
providing confirmation that the deposit is held under the DPS Custodial Scheme.

This ensures your property remains fully compliant with current legislation — protecting you from penalties and ensuring smooth tenancy management.

At the end of a tenancy, Ay’up Homes will manage the return or any proposed deductions from the deposit, supported by clear documentation such as check-in/out inventories and maintenance records.

If any disputes arise, the DPS adjudication team provides an impartial, evidence-based resolution service.

Why It Matters

Deposit protection isn’t just a formality — it’s a legal requirement under the Housing Act 2004 for all Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) in England and Wales.

Failure to protect a tenant’s deposit correctly can result in:

a fine of up to three times the deposit amount, and
restrictions on serving a Section 21 Notice to regain possession.

By entrusting Ay’up Homes with your property, you can rest assured that every deposit is properly managed, legally protected, and transparently handled from start to finis

Deposit Protection