Timescale for deposit repayment - renting

[lurkerspeaks]

I moved out of rented property on 30th July.

I got an e.mail from the letting agency (small, not proven themselves to be terribly reliable, have also just withdrawn from the deposit protection scheme they were using during our tenancy but did not inform us themselves) on 6th August confirming our deposit would be repaid in full.

As yet I have not received a cheque.

Is there a specified timescale within which these monies should be repaid. I find it highly ironic that we have to pay them rent by bank transfer but they are happy to repay us by cheque (and therefore hang onto the money for longer!)

Just in case anyone else finds this thread (via google or whatnot). I have now been in touch with our tenant deposit service (mydeposit).

They say that a dispute can be initiated if monies have not been returned within 10 days of an amount being agreed.