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Deposit scheme to avoid disputes between tenants and landlords | Deposit scheme to avoid disputes between tenants and landlords |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Northern Ireland is to have its first Tenancy Deposit Scheme, in a move to avoid disputes over deposits between tenants and landlords. | Northern Ireland is to have its first Tenancy Deposit Scheme, in a move to avoid disputes over deposits between tenants and landlords. |
It will involve a third party holding onto the cash and mediating in disagreements, bringing NI into line with England and Wales. | It will involve a third party holding onto the cash and mediating in disagreements, bringing NI into line with England and Wales. |
The scheme, for private rentals, has been introduced by Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland. | The scheme, for private rentals, has been introduced by Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland. |
It has been criticised by the Landlords Association as being too bureaucratic. | |
However, it has been welcomed by student leaders as "a victory for students and other tenants". | |
The assembly approved legislation for the independent third party scheme to protect tenant's deposits from 1 April. | The assembly approved legislation for the independent third party scheme to protect tenant's deposits from 1 April. |
'Assurances' | |
Mr McCausland has appointed four administrators to operate the new scheme. | Mr McCausland has appointed four administrators to operate the new scheme. |
He said: "This scheme will provide assurances for tenants and protection for landlords, helping to minimise long drawn-out legal proceedings and disputes. | He said: "This scheme will provide assurances for tenants and protection for landlords, helping to minimise long drawn-out legal proceedings and disputes. |
"Tenants across Northern Ireland in the private rental sector can now be afforded the same protection as those in Great Britain. | "Tenants across Northern Ireland in the private rental sector can now be afforded the same protection as those in Great Britain. |
"This is a positive development for the private rental sector". | "This is a positive development for the private rental sector". |
He said schemes such as this had been very successful in the rest of the UK adding that he was keen that the private rental sector was seen as a "good option for tenants". | He said schemes such as this had been very successful in the rest of the UK adding that he was keen that the private rental sector was seen as a "good option for tenants". |
"Return of tenant deposits is an issue I hear of time and time again and I'm pleased that Northern Ireland citizens can now be reassured their money is safe," he said. | "Return of tenant deposits is an issue I hear of time and time again and I'm pleased that Northern Ireland citizens can now be reassured their money is safe," he said. |
"The new scheme... will encourage a more professional approach to tenancy deposit practice, minimise disputes and go some way to improving the sector's reputation as a desirable option." | "The new scheme... will encourage a more professional approach to tenancy deposit practice, minimise disputes and go some way to improving the sector's reputation as a desirable option." |
'Very onerous' | |
However, Declan Boyle of the Landlords Association said he was not happy with the new plan. | However, Declan Boyle of the Landlords Association said he was not happy with the new plan. |
"It's very onerous and the penalties here are going to be more severe than in the UK, for whatever reason," he said. | "It's very onerous and the penalties here are going to be more severe than in the UK, for whatever reason," he said. |
As part of the scheme, housing benefits will be paid directly to landlords. | As part of the scheme, housing benefits will be paid directly to landlords. |
Adrianne Peltz, president of the National Union of Students and Union of Students in Ireland (NUS-USI) said her organisation had campaigned for the introduction of the scheme. | |
"We hear horror stories of students and other people who have rented a house and at end of the contract have left it in excellent condition but have had their deposit withheld by an unscrupulous landlord. | |
"The vast majority of landlords behave in an impeccable manner and care about the welfare of their tenants, so I am sure that they will welcome these developments. This scheme will safeguard their good reputations and help prevent bad landlords from tarnishing the image of their industry," Ms Peltz added. |
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