Deposit Protection
Tenants’ deposits are normally one and a half times the monthly rental for the property they choose. The purpose of the deposit is to cover damage to the property over and above normal wear and tear and/or any rent arrears or costs incurred as a result of a breach of the contract.
Under the Housing Act 2004 any landlord or agent who takes a deposit from a tenant for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy must safeguard it in an approved tenancy deposit scheme. Lesters Property Management Ltd are insured agents and will hold deposits as members of The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS).
The TDS has been established to serve three principle objectives:
- To protect tenants' deposits throughout their tenancy
- To ensure the return of the deposit promptly at the end of a tenancy where no dispute is raised
- In the event of a dispute, to ensure that it is dealt with fairly and quickly by the Independent Complaints Examiner
At the end of any tenancy, Lesters will return the deposit to the tenant as soon as practicably possible, less any deductions agreed. However, occasionally, a dispute may arise regarding any proposed deductions. If this cannot be agreed between the two parties, Lesters are able to refer any deadlocked disputes to the TDS. Each case is sent to an Independent Complaints Examiner and subject to expert third party adjudication resulting in the apportioning of deposit money.
For more information the TDS, DPS and My Deposits, the three main deposit protection schemes in the UK, have produced an information pack for landlords, agents and tenants regarding deposits, disputes and damages which may be downloaded using this link.
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