Tenancy Deposit SchemeThe Housing Division of Department for Social Development has announced that a Regional Rent Deposit scheme will be launched in Northern Ireland in the spring as well as compulsory landlord registration. It will be based upon the existing structure in England and Wales detailed below. The tenancy deposit scheme came into force on the 6th April 2007 When letting a property, a landlord will be given a deposit by the tenants against possible non-payment of rent or damage to the property. When this tenancy comes to an end the deposit is returned to the tenants, with any deductions necessary to be made from this amount. · deposits will be protected during the tenancy by a regulated agent. · where there is NO dispute at the end of the tenancy, deposits will be returned promptly to the tenant. · where there is a dispute about the return of the deposit it will be dealt with fairly by the Independent Complaints Examiner (ICE). So if there is a dispute, the agent has 10 days to resolve it. If it is not resolved, any of the parties - landlord, agent or tenant - can approach the ICE. The agent will then transfer the deposit to The Dispute Service Limited. · all disputes between the tenant and landlord/agent are easier to resolve. · tenants get all or part of their deposit back, when they are entitled to it. · landlords and letting agents who do not protect tenancy deposits will have to pay their tenant back three times the deposit. |