3rd April 2009

Tenancy Deposit Scheme Approaches the Billion Pound Mark

At the approach of the second anniversary of mandatory tenancy deposit protection , the Tenancy Deposit Scheme reports that it is protecting over 800 million pounds in tenants deposits, an increase of a quarter of a billion pounds in less than 12 months.

 Resolving deposit disputes

It clearly shows the need for independent adjudication and proper inventory and condition reports. These are the tools that separate the mountains from the molehills of deposit disputes.

Independent adjudication takes the heat out of disputes that can be over very small amounts. Adjudication also dramatically underlines the advantage of proper inventories that have been checked at both the beginning and end of every tenancy, especially where larger sums of money may be involved.

Clerk Case

Case History

This month's 'Clerk Case' comes courtesy of one of our members' landlords - it just shows how valuable experience is, so don't get caught out...

'Before my tenant moved in I listed everything in my new flat; all the saucepans, cutlery, bed linen and furniture. When my tenant moved out I found he had been smoking in the bath and there were lots of burnt spots, completely ruining the white plastic. When I told him he would have to pay for a new bath he actually laughed! He waved his inventory at me and said - 'show me on there what your bath was like when I moved in'. 

I hadn't of course listed the bathroom suite, or the kitchen units for that matter which meant I had no proof of the original condition.  Next tenancy I will pay for a professionally compiled inventory'.

The Negotiator Magazine Awards 2008