Checking your deposit
How To Check Your Deposit With TDS
Use the TDS checker with your deposit reference and postcode, or search with your postcode, surname, tenancy start date and deposit amount.
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In Short
To check if the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) protects your deposit, use its checker in one of two ways: a reference such as your certificate code with the tenancy postcode, or your postcode, surname, tenancy start date and deposit amount. TDS runs insured and custodial schemes, and advises checking both. If TDS cannot find your deposit, search DPS and mydeposits too, because your landlord may have used another scheme.
Two Ways To Search TDS
- Certificate code, dispute reference or account number
- Plus the tenancy postcode
- Total deposit amount
- Tenancy postcode
- Your surname, with any hyphen or apostrophe
- Tenancy start date, as month and year
TDS Runs Two Schemes
Where To Find Your Reference
TDS says your Deposit Account Number is on your certificate and on any other TDS letters or emails.
What Your TDS Result Means
- FoundYou can view the status of your deposit.
- Shown As EndedUsually the tenancy was marked ended, or it moved scheme.
- Not FoundCheck your details, then search DPS and mydeposits.
Why TDS Might Not Find It
TDS only checks the details you enter, so the start date, postcode and amount must be right. Moved in recently? Your landlord has 30 days to protect it. See deposit not showing, checking all three schemes, or start a deposit check.
Here's What You Get When Working With Us
Recommended
With Free Deposit Check- Full online deposit check and analysis
- All three deposit schemes searched for you
- Eligibility and time limits checked
- Your whole case file prepared
- Matched with our specialist solicitors
- £387 court fee covered in your agreement
- With you at every step
- £0 up front and £0 if you lose (terms apply)
- Search each scheme yourself
- Work out if you qualify
- Gather and organise all the evidence
- Write the letter to your landlord
- Pay the £387 court fee up front (Help with Fees may cut it)
- Present your case to the court
- Chase your landlord for payment
- All the risk and work is on you
If you win, the solicitor's success fee (up to 25% + VAT) comes out of your compensation. The solicitor pays us for the introduction, so you never pay us anything.
Quick Answers
What Do I Need To Check My TDS Deposit?
Either your reference and tenancy postcode, or your deposit amount, tenancy postcode, surname and tenancy start date (month and year).
Do TDS Insured And TDS Custodial Have Separate Checks?
The main TDS check accepts insured and custodial references. TDS still advises checking both schemes, and a separate TDS Custodial check page is still online.
Why Does TDS Show My Deposit As Unprotected?
TDS says this usually means your landlord told it the tenancy ended, or moved your deposit to another scheme, for example after a change of agent.
Is My Deposit Covered After Protection Ends?
In TDS Insured, TDS keeps protecting it for three months after it is marked as ended, so you can still use its dispute service.
Is Free Deposit Check Part Of TDS?
No. We are not connected to DPS, TDS or mydeposits. We introduce eligible tenants to SRA-regulated solicitors, and our service is free to you.
Keep Reading
Sources
- TDS: Is my deposit protected? (check page)
- TDS Custodial: Is my deposit protected? (check page)
- TDS Help Centre: Is my deposit protected?
- #AskTDS: What do I do if my deposit isn't protected?
- Tenancy deposit protection (GOV.UK)
- Housing Act 2004, section 213 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Housing Act 2004, section 214 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Check your tenancy deposit is protected (Shelter)
Last updated 16 October 2026. General information for tenants in England only (the rules differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). Not legal advice.