New government scheme will secure landlord deposits
(02 March 2007)

A press and radio publicity campaign has been started to raise awareness about a new government scheme which will help secure deposits for both tenants and landlords.

The government's new Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) scheme will be launched in April this year and will especially be aimed at ethnic minority communities.

TDP will aim to make sure all tenants are repaid their correct entitlement when they finish any assured shorthold tenancy and will see any complaints referred to a special dispute resolution service.

"Sometimes tenants are not aware of their rights so we are highlighting the schemes to help prevent this from happening," said housing minister Baroness Andrews.

"At the same time the scheme also provides landlords with a secure way of ensuring deposits are safeguarded by encouraging clear inventories and agreements prior to the payment of the deposit and a free arbitration service to deal with any disputes."

When fully launched, TDP will include a separate information pack for tenants and for landlords and letting agents and will be translated into eight different languages.