► DEPOSITS 1 - Is my depsoit protected by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme?

 

Deposit rules

From 6 April 2007, all deposits paid in connection with assured shorthold tenancies must be protected by a government authorised tenancy deposit scheme. There are currently three authorised schemes. The organisations running the schemes are:

mydeposits www.mydeposits.co.uk 0844 4980 0290
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme www.tds.gb.com 0845 226 7837
The Deposit Protection Service www.depositprotection.com 0844 472 7000

Ask your landlord which scheme is protecting your deposit. For more information about the Tenancy Deposit Scheme and to download a leaflet visit www.directgov.uk/tenancydeposit

When you pay a deposit
Although not all landlords now take a deposit most do. At present, a typical deposit in Coventry is around £300 per person payable when you sign the contract. You should not pay any earlier than this. If you do your deposit might be treated as a non-refundable holding deposit.

Deposits covered by tenancy deposit protection
Landlords are required within 14 days of receiving a deposit to protect it with one of the authorised schemes and provide the tenant with approved information. This information will include, for example, the contact details of the relevant scheme and what to do if there is a dispute. Some landlords include this information in the contract but it can be provided separately. If a landlord fails to protect s deposit or provide the agreed information, the tenant/s can take the landlord to court. For more information, see the section on going to court in Deposits 2 – What if I have a problem with my deposit?

Deposits not covered by tenancy deposit protection
• The new rules on tenancy deposit protection only apply to assured shorthold tenancies. (If you are not sure what type of tenancy you have contact SUAC for advice).
• They do not apply to other types of private tenancy or to accommodation let by the University or Coventry City Council.
• The new rules only apply to deposits paid on or after 6 April 2007.

If your contract mentions your deposit, you need to make sure it records
1. How much you have paid
2. What the money can be used for
3. How long you can expect to wait until it is returned

If you contract fails to do any of this or is not detailed enough, ask your landlord to amend it using SUAC’s fixed term assured shorthold contract as a model (copies are available free to students ). If your landlord is not willing to do this or wants to charge you, ask for a receipt instead but try to make sure it covers the points above.



 

 

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