Tenancy Deposit Protection

Tenancy deposit law was introduced on 6th April 2007 and provides protection for tenants by preventing landlords and letting agents from unfairly withholding a deposit. The scheme protects all Assured Shorthold Tenancies in England and Wales (covering most tenancies since 1997).  We protect our deposits through the my deposits scheme, for more details see mydeposits.

What is it?

Tenancy Deposit Protection is designed to ensure: you get all or part of your deposit back, when you are entitled to itany disputes between you and your landlord or agent will be easier to resolve landlords and letting agents who do not protect tenancy deposits will have to pay their tenant back three times the deposit

How does it work?

• Start of a new tenancy: At the beginning of a new tenancy agreement, pay your deposit to your landlord or agent as usual.
• Within 30 days, the landlord or agent is required to give you details about how your deposit is protected including:
• The contact details of the tenancy deposit scheme
• The contact details of the landlord or agent
• How to apply for the release of the deposit
• Information explaining the purpose of the deposit
• What to do if there is a dispute about the deposit
• If you don’t get this information, ask your landlord or agent the simple question –
  ‘how is my deposit protected?’
• You have a responsibility to return the property in the same condition that it was let to you, allowing for fair wear and tear.

Moving Out

At the end of the tenancy, check whether you are leaving the property and its contents in the condition in which it was let to you – allowing for fair wear and tear- and check that you have paid your rent and any other expenses.  Then agree with your landlord or agent how much of the deposit should be returned to you.
Within 30 days – you should have received the agreed amount of the deposit.

For more details, see www.direct.gov.uk