If you rent in Newcastle under an assured shorthold tenancy, your landlord or letting agent must usually protect your deposit in an approved scheme within 30 days. The schemes are the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), MyDeposits and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS); your landlord should also give you the scheme details and prescribed information. Contact each scheme or check your tenancy paperwork if you are unsure, and use the relevant scheme’s free dispute service if there is disagreement about deductions. If the deposit was not protected properly, consider getting advice from a housing solicitor or Citizens Advice, as a court decides any remedy.