A missing record is a red flag
If DPS, mydeposits and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme cannot find your deposit, that is a strong sign your landlord may not have protected it.
This does not automatically mean you will win a claim, but it is one of the clearest warning signs renters see.
RentersProtect checks your tenancy against the deposit protection rules at no cost.
You may still be owed compensation
An unprotected deposit can support a compensation claim of one to three times the deposit amount, even if the money was eventually returned.
The question is whether your landlord complied within the legal timeframe, not whether you still have the deposit back.
Do not wait too long
Deposit claims can be affected by limitation periods and tenancy changes. The longer you leave it, the harder it can become to pursue.
RentersProtect can review your dates and tell you whether you have grounds to claim before you contact your landlord.