Research carried out by Safe Deposits Scotland has found that 55.8% of tenants have no idea that they can challenge deductions made from their deposit by a landlord. The study also found that 36.4% don’t know how to claim their deposit back, which is a bit worrying.
Landlords are increasingly using a variety of tools at their disposal to check up on potential tenants before they offer them a tenancy agreement. A study by a leading home loans company has found that 11% of landlords use Facebook to screen would-be tenants before they let them move in.
Nottingham landlords with HMOs are facing rising costs. The price of a landlord licence for properties with more than four tenants in occupation is set to rise by £420. Landlords who are ‘less compliant’ will have to pay even more.
Some landlords are offering free accommodation in return for ‘sexual favours’. A recent BBC investigation found some landlords were advertising for tenants to provide sexual services in return for free rent.
Landlords are required to place a tenant’s deposit in a deposit protection scheme for the duration of a tenancy. When the tenant leaves, the deposit is handed back, but if there are any issues, a landlord can withhold some or all of the money. The Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS), a government-backed service, has revealed the reasons why deposits are withheld by landlords.
