More protection from unfair landlords

Monday 14 July 2014

Tenants will soon have more chance of getting their deposits back from their landlords when they move out, now a new deposit scheme has been approved by the States.

From next February landlords will have to pass on their tenants’ deposits to an independent third-party, who will look after it until the agreement ends and the person renting finds somewhere else to live.

Housing Minister Deputy Andrew Green said: “I recognise that the vast majority of landlords are responsible and handle deposits responsibly. These regulations will remove the risk that deposits, in a minority of cases, will be withheld unfairly by landlords at the end of a residential tenancy agreement and provide a simple framework for landlords and tenants to manage deposits. I am pleased that the Assembly has given its support to the regulations and that Members have recognised the need to address the need to make sure tenants are treated consistently and fairly.”

Deputy Green is now on the hunt for a suitable administrator to look after the deposit scheme.

He said: “I am conscious that landlord and tenants will now want assurance that the deposit scheme is simple to use and will support them handling deposits. We will carry out a substantial publicity campaign to ensure that all parties know about their rights and responsibilities and how the scheme works before it is introduced in 2015. This will be a big change for landlords and tenants but we will ensure that they are supported as much as possible when using the deposit scheme.

There will also be a free and independent dispute resolution service when landlords and tenants can’t agree over the return of a deposit which should help resolve disagreements quickly, effectively and fairly without the need for either to take legal action.