Housing and accommodation

Rents and deposits

April 2007 saw the Government launch the Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) scheme, this scheme was conceived to make sure tenants’ deposits are protected.

  • the scheme means that tenants get all or part of their deposits back when they are entitled to it
  • any disputes between tenants and landlords or agents will be easier to resolve

There are three government-authorised tenancy deposit schemes offering tenancy deposit protection. If the tenancy is an Assured Shorthold tenancy then the landlord will need to place your deposit in one of these schemes. From April 2012 the rules changed and landlords/letting agents now have 30 days (it used to be 14) from taking the deposit from the tenant, to protect it in one of the three schemes and also give you the details of how the deposite is being protected.

Your landlord or letting agent needs to tell you:

  • the contact details of the tenancy deposit scheme selected
  • the contact details of the landlord or letting agent
  • how to apply for release of the deposit
  • information explaining the purpose of the deposit
  • what to do if there is a dispute about the deposit

If your landlord has not done this (with the new rules there is no opportuniy for landlords/letting agents to extend the 30 day period) you can:

  • remind your landlord that it is a legal requirement
  • apply to the local county court who can:
    • order the deposit to go into a scheme
    • repay the deposit to you
    • order the landlord to repay the deposit and up to three times the amount you paid them

Further information

Student Housing

Student Housing
Nuffield Centre
St Michael's Road
Portsmouth PO1 2ED

T: 023 9284 3214
E: student.housing@port.ac.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau

W: www.adviceguide.org.uk

Department of Communities

T: 0845 609 0696
W: www.direct.gov.uk

National Union of Students (NUS)

T: 023 9284 3640
W: www.nus.org.uk

Shelter

T: 0808 800 4444
W: www.shelter.org.uk