Government plans for deposit passporting
More than 4 million people live in the private rented sector, yet when moving home, some tenants can find it a struggle to provide a second deposit to their new landlord, risking falling into debt or becoming trapped in their current home. Ministers want to understand the scale of this problem.
Ministers are inviting proposals to make it easier for renters to transfer deposits directly between landlords when moving from one property to the next.
Freeing up deposits and allowing a renter’s hard-earned cash to follow them from property to property as they move to take that perfect job, to move nearer to family, or find a place that suits their changing needs will create a fairer housing market that works for all.
Director of policy and practice at the NLA, Chris Norris, said: “The idea of deposit passporting has been around for a while now, so it comes as no surprise that the Government is considering it. Mr Brokenshire acknowledges that if this is to be implemented it must be done thoughtfully, but we must make sure that adequate thought is given to the needs of both tenants and landlords.
“Everyone agrees that moving between tenancies should be made easier and cheaper, but we also need to recognise why landlords take deposits. A deposit protects against damage or default, so landlords must be confidence their costs are covered before releasing the tenants’ money.”
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The scrapping of Section 21: landlord responses
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 763
10:23 AM, 28th June 2019, About 7 years ago
‘Done thoughtfully’ … well that will be a revelation!
Member Since March 2016 - Comments: 254
10:27 AM, 28th June 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by JB at 28/06/2019 – 10:23
I agree.
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
10:53 AM, 28th June 2019, About 7 years ago
Not sure how this is going to work in practice. I don’t refund a deposit until the tenant has moved out and the property has been inspected for any damage. So the deposit cannot be passed to the new landlord until such time. Surely a new landlord would want the deposit paid at the time of signing the new tenancy agreement ? What happens if I cannot refund all of the deposit (perhaps non of it at all) due to damage and even arrears ?
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 197
11:25 AM, 28th June 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 28/06/2019 – 10:53
My thoughts too Dylan .My inventory clerk goes into the property and then we both receive our reports .Then we have to agree any monies etc .As you say the next landlord would of wanted the deposit .Doesnt seem workable to me .
Member Since April 2015 - Comments: 33
11:39 AM, 28th June 2019, About 7 years ago
Perhaps we could take credit cards for deposits then the tenant can pay it off later from their returned deposit
Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 1969 - Articles: 1
11:40 AM, 28th June 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Roger P at 28/06/2019 – 11:39
I enquires about this a number of years ago. Even whether we could offer ‘logbook loans’ in place of a deposit. But it seemed unworkable.
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 788
11:43 AM, 28th June 2019, About 7 years ago
In my honest opinion, deposit is just a gimmick, overall the amount of hassle that is attached to deposit protection and retrieving it is not worth even thinking about, in most cases tenants always nearly dispute if the cause of damage is anything other than normal wear and tear, so why even bother when you are going to be in so much grey area, going through arbitration trying to prove your claim, takes immense time and money, so heck with deposit, just out law this as well as tenancy fee , this way no landlord is going to come under the spell of draconian deposit protection rules which are nothing but tons of headache. You have got to protect it within 30 days, you have to open an account with DPS, remember your passwords, who has the time to do all that waste of time, just abolish DPS and outlaw taking deposit, landlords have always suffered losses, adding a little more to it is not going to break our back, but we will have a lot less headache. I do not take deposit, because so far in my HMO, tenants do not own up to a damage, they all deny, so you cannot even accuse anyone for causing a damage, and it would be unlawful to take money from someone’s deposit if they were not the real culprit.
Member Since March 2016 - Comments: 254
11:58 AM, 28th June 2019, About 7 years ago
hence the ‘thoughtfully’.
Hamish
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 126
12:54 PM, 28th June 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Mike at 28/06/2019 – 11:43
Same here Mike. I now take 2 months rent up front [first and last month of their tenancy] and no deposit. Less hassle, easier on tenants when they leave [often to return home abroad] and I can cope with the minimal damage I get with furniture bought 20 years ago. I’d rather spend half an hour cleaning their vacated room than open a dispute with a tribunal.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 126
1:53 PM, 28th June 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by angalfaria at 28/06/2019 – 13:24
I sometimes wonder how many wars have been started by Google Translate.