30 January 2012

my|deposits has released a step-by-step checklist for landlords and letting agents to help them in any dispute with their tenant over the return of the deposit.

The checklist gives guidance to landlords and agents on what to do before, during and at the end of the tenancy to ensure they have the right evidence if a dispute arises.

While formal disputes are rare, they are usually caused by issues such as cleaning charges, unpaid rent and damage to the property or its contents.  By following the checklist, landlords will be armed with the best evidence possible if they face a dispute over the deposit return.

Eddie Hooker, Chief Executive, my|deposits, said:

“This checklist covers everything a landlord needs to do, from a robust tenancy agreement, inventory reports, keeping a record of rent payments and doing check-in and check-out reports.

“Landlords and agents should remember that the deposit is always the tenant’s money, and if they wish to withhold any of it for cleaning or unpaid rent, then they must provide evidence of this.

“By following the checklist, landlords will ensure they have this evidence and aren’t losing any disputes unnecessarily.”

The guide ‘Preparing your dispute evidence – A checklist for landlords’ can be found on our website at http://bit.ly/rphkJw
For more information about my|deposits, visit www.mydeposits.co.uk or call 0844 980 0290.

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

Dane Svenson
Press Officer
my|deposits.co.uk
E: dane.svenson@mydeposits.co.uk
T: 020 7840 8925
M: 07508 031 084

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About mydeposits.co.uk:

Mydeposits is the trading name of Tenancy Deposit Solutions Limited, a company jointly owned by the National Landlords Association and HFIS plc T/A Hamilton Fraser Insurance (the Scheme Administrator) to deliver an insurance-backed tenancy deposit protection scheme under contract from Communities & Local Government. Landlords and letting agents wishing to use this scheme are required to register with the Scheme Administrator. They can find out more and register by visiting www.mydeposits.co.uk. Registered members of the Scheme are able to protect and unprotect deposits at the beginning and end of tenancies. Fees are tax-deductible. In the event of a dispute at the end of the tenancy agreement, both parties are offered access to alternative dispute resolution (ADR). This procedure will be evidence-based, relying on documentation and records.