We’ve already reported that the DPS have produced new scheme terms and conditions. Part of the reason would seem to be to incorporate some new services they are offering which are worthy of quick note. SMS repayment ID reminders Tenants can text The DPS requesting a reminder of their repayment ID. The DPS will instantly issue the reminder via return text message so it is important that landlords ensure a correct mobile phone number is...

The DPS (Deposit Protection Service) has issued new scheme terms and conditions, available here. As a result, our DPS assured shorthold tenancy agreement (F002) has been updated. In addition, whilst a change was being made we’ve made a couple of additions to the clauses within the AST. Also, whilst on, we have made those additions to the no deposit (F001) and MyDeposits (F003) assured shorthold tenancies too. The confirmation certificate...

The Localism Bill is now officially the Localism Act. There is no certainty as to when the Act (or parts of the Act) will commence but the suggested aim is for April 2012 Of interest to private landlords in particular will be section 184 of the Act which makes significant changes to the tenancy deposit provisions contained in the Housing Act 2004. Highlights of the changes are: The time for protecting a deposit is increased from 14 days...

Suurpere v Nice & Anor [2011] EWHC 2003 (QB) It’s not like us to be several days after an important decision relating to tenancy deposit schemes to publish an article but what with being away for a short break and then the twice as long catching up this has been slightly delayed for which I apologise. This is a significant High Court (so binding) case which highlights what we have been banging on about for several years now namely, the...

From 1 December 2011, the annual rent threshold for when a tenancy is an assured shorthold tenancy is increased from £25,000 to £100,000. To see the effects this may have to any existing tenancies, please see our slightly modified article that we did when the change came in for England on 1 October 2010. Tweet

The Deposit Protection Service has received a 12.7m payment from taxpayers it has emerged. The revelation about the bail out was confirmed by Housing Minister Grant Shapps in a reply to a question in Parliament, asked by Chris Kelly, Conservative MP for Dudley South. The DPS make their money by using interest earned from deposited monies. However, with interest rates at 0.5% (a situation which would have never been envisaged at the time of...