If you are a tenant under an Assured Shorthold Tenancy in the United Kingdom England and Wales, you will be familiar with the tenancy deposit scheme. This is a government-backed scheme that was put in place to protect tenants from unfair landlords. If you have ever had a dispute with your landlord over your tenancy deposit, then you know how stressful and frustrating it can be. Next Gen Solicitors are experts in the field of tenancy deposit disputes, and we can help you get the justice and compensation that you deserve!
What Is The Tenancy Deposit Scheme?
The tenancy deposit scheme requires landlords to put the tenant’s deposit into a protected account, and if there is ever a dispute over the deposit, the money will be refunded to the tenant. Failing to do this means that the landlord is effectively breaking the law. There are 3 Schemes in which the deposit can be placed into, your landlord must do so within 30 days of having received your deposit and within those 30 days, the landlord must also inform you as to which scheme it is being protected in. If your Landlord fails to do either, you may be entitled to compensation.
Here’s more information on how you can check whether the landlord has placed your deposit in a protected account or not.
5 Ways To Ensure You Get Your Deposit Back
If you are a tenant, there are a few things that you can do to make sure that you get your deposit back:
1: Read your tenancy agreement carefully before you sign it. This will ensure that you understand all of the terms and conditions of your agreement.
2: Keep a copy of all correspondence with your landlord, including any emails or text messages. This will be helpful if you ever need to prove what was agreed upon.
3: Take photos or videos of the property when you move in, and again when you move out. This will help to show the condition of the property during your tenancy.
4: Get everything in writing. If your landlord agrees to make any repairs or changes to the property, make sure that you have this agreement in writing.
5: Keep up with your rent payments. If you are behind on rent, your landlord may withhold your deposit.
If you follow these tips, you will increase your chances of getting your deposit back when you move out. However, even if you do everything right, there is always a chance that your landlord will try to withhold your deposit. If this happens, you should contact Next Gen Solicitors as soon as possible. We can help you file a tenancy deposit scheme dispute, and we will fight to get you the justice and compensation that you deserve!
Receiving Your Deposit Back
According to the tenancy deposit scheme in the UK, at the end of your tenancy, the landlord is obliged to return your deposit back within 10 days of agreeing to the amount in which you’ll be given back. Some fees may be taken off the original amount you paid in order to cover any damage to the property or if you missed a payment during your tenancy term. But, if you feel as though the landlord is holding back your deposit and is providing false information to justify this, you should seek legal help and support.
Received your Deposit back but it wasn’t protected?
Even if your landlord pays you your deposit back at the end of a tenancy, if the Landlord failed to protect it in one of the three schemes or failed to provide you with the prescribed information, you may still be entitled to compensation.
How Can I File A Tenancy Deposit Scheme Dispute?
If you think that your landlord has not followed the rules of the tenancy deposit scheme, you can file a dispute with the help of Next Gen Solicitors. We will assess your case and provide you with expert legal advice on how to proceed. We have a proven track record of success in tenancy deposit disputes, and we can help you get the compensation that you deserve!
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your tenancy deposit dispute. We look forward to hearing from you!