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13th June 2009
MSP Welcomes Tenant Deposit Proposals
North East MSP Alex Johnstone has welcomed
proposals from the Scottish Government that will end the
unfair withholding of tenants deposits.
Suggestions put forward include an
Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme to resolve grievances
with landlords, which may include deposit disputes, and
expanding the role of the Private Rented Housing Panel,
which currently adjudicates on complaints from tenants that
landlords are failing to comply with the Repairing Standard.
Research conducted by the Scottish
Government estimated that between £2.2 million and £3.6
million is withheld without good reason each year by
landlords, however housing charity Shelter Scotland puts the
figure at nearer £6 million, according to surveys of
tenants.
Commenting, Mr Johnstone said, "I believe
that these proposals are urgently needed, especially in
rural Aberdeenshire where the private rented sector has
become the only housing option for thousands of people who
are in work but unable to get a mortgage in the current
economic climate. Meanwhile, in Aberdeen, with two
universities attracts a significant number of students who
rent property in the city, it is young people who too often
have their deposits withheld without good reason."
"With the prospect for economic recovery
still bleak, the rental sector will continue to play an
important role in providing accommodation and, although
'rogue landlords' who retain tenants deposits or fail to
maintain their properties to an acceptable standard are in
the minority, I am aware of enough cases to warrant
introducing legislation which provides protection for
tenants and a legally enforceable resolution service to deal
with disputes."
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