Check your deposit against the statutory cap, see when it must be protected and returned, and understand the remedies if the landlord gets it wrong. England rules; ask for full compliance history before you pay anything.
The rules (England)
• Cap: max 5 weeks' rent (annual rent under £50,000) or 6 weeks (annual rent £50,000+).
• Protect: within 30 days of receiving it, in a government-approved scheme (DPS, TDS or mydeposits) — plus the prescribed information.
• Return: within 10 days of you and the landlord agreeing the amount (deductions need evidence and your agreement).
• If unprotected or no prescribed info: the court can order the landlord to pay you 1–3 × the deposit AND/OR return it.
• Disputes: the scheme's free adjudication usually beats going to court for small amounts.