AQW 50613/11-16

Ms Anna Lo MBE
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 09/11/2015
Answered On Date: 17/11/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Social Development whether he has any plans to amend the Tenancy Deposit Scheme regulations so tenants can report failure to comply after the first six months of the tenancy, given that most deposit disputes occur at the end of the tenancy.

Answer:

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme which was introduced in April 2013 requires private landlords to protect tenancy deposits within 14 days of receiving the deposit and inform the tenant where and how the deposit has been protected within 28 days. Tenants who do not receive this information should report the landlord immediately and not wait until the end of the tenancy.

An advertising campaign including TV, press, bus sides, street liners and online advertising is currently taking place. The material informs landlords and agents of the legal requirement to protect deposits in an approved scheme and urges private tenants to report their landlord to their Council as soon as possible after the 28 day deadline. This would allow Councils to take appropriate enforcement action.