Students are being encouraged to ensure their tenancy deposits are protected as they begin the new academic year
Speaking as officials from his Department began a number of awareness sessions throughout campuses alerting students to his Department’s Tenancy Deposit Scheme regulations, Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland also encouraged students to ensure their landlords had the same protections in place for them.
The scheme, introduced in April 2013, requires private landlords to protect a tenant’s deposit in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
It was introduced to make sure tenants get their deposit back, if entitled to, at the end of the tenancy.
Minister McCausland said: “Many students will have recently taken up tenancies with a private landlord. I would therefore encourage all of them to check that any deposit they have paid is protected.
“The law requires a private landlord who has taken a deposit to protect it in an approved scheme within 14 days of receiving it and notify the tenant within 28 days of receiving it where, and how, that deposit has been protected.
“If the required information is not provided to the tenant, they should report it as soon as possible after the 28 day period to the Environmental Health Department at their local council.”
The Minister added: “The experience of most private housing tenants is positive. However, one of the most common difficulties that arise is around the return of tenants’ deposits and the disputes that can follow.
“The Tenancy Deposit Scheme will reassure tenants that their money is safe. To date, over 25,000 deposits have been protected amounting to over £14million.”
Mr McCausland concluded: “I would therefore encourage students, and all those who rent in the private rented sector, to ensure that their landlord has the same protections in place for them.”
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