UK landlords not returning tenants’ deposits

According to the reports from the Shelter, a housing charity, complaints have been surging of private landlords deny repaying rental deposits of the tenants.  Shelter, worrying about the trend measures 86% of such grievances from the UK tenants.

 The UK government have had come up with several schemes ensuring tenancy protection, despite; the tenants are unsecured about their stay/occupancy.  In the face of that, shelter helpline is still getting calls on this issue.

Under the rules of schemes established, it is needed requisite on behalf of the landlord to place the tenant's deposit in any one of the authorized tenancy protection scheme in 30 days from the time he has received it, failing that, the landlord can face severe penalties in from of being taken to court and making them pay fine of between one and three times the value of the deposit.

However, according to the research by digital data Collector Company, it was noticed that 57% of people who were tenants in private rental properties weren't aware of such schemes, thereby making it defensive stance for the private landlords.

Such instances can snatch a roof from someone's head and that could prove disastrous for them. There have been complaints on not returning deposits having to lead tenants going bankrupt or homeless.

Keeping in mind the importance of having a proper shelter over your head, it becomes way too necessary to be abreast of all the rental schemes. For, they are for the tenant's good. These schemes are meant to protect and empower tenants, so that they can live a peaceful, secured life under the rented house.

However, for that it is needed on part of tenants to read property news from journals, magazines, websites and newspapers, ask out people, consult property consultants before staying in the rented property. 

Shelter , is urging tenants to visit its new webpage –shelter.org.uk/depositprotection – to use its new three-minute checker to make sure their deposit is protected.

According to Countrywide, the estate agency, have pointed a marked rise 275,000 new tenants have registered to rent private accommodation in 2011, making it an increase of 24% in 2010.

Campbell Robb, chief executive at Shelter, said: "It is extremely worrying that we have seen such a huge rise in problems with tenancy deposits at a time when privately renting is no longer just a stepping stone to something better but a long term reality for more and more families.

"While we know that most landlords do the right thing, some cause absolute misery for their tenants, accusing them of owing thousands of pounds for damage that doesn't exist or falsely claiming to have protected their deposit and then never returning it."

Withholding tenants' deposits is indeed a very stressful situation for them as that deposit can be used for so many things, even for letting another house. In such grievous economic time, the money out of these deposits can be tremendously useful.

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Finding a rented house right for your pet

If you are out there a pet owner, finding a house for rent where your pet is welcomed with you, then you're just at the right place to get your thing get done.

More often than not, finding a rented property where even your pet is allowed to stay is hard to find. You always come across nasty landlords for whom pets are just a "NO-NO" for pets have been known for their notoriety of damaging and dirtying the house furniture.  So, even if you possess all the qualities of a good tenant, having found you to live with your pet, might just let your landlord turn away from you.

But, you know how much you adore your pet and can't think of living without it, and then you might want to look for landlords that allow you to stay with your pets.

Consider the following tips:

1. Not every landlord that you may come across to will deny you their property on rent with your pet. There are animal lover landlords or some might just agree on your proposal provided they trust you enough that in case of any damage, you shall be present ever for repairing cost.

2. Apart from that, you can consider, training you pet. Try making them obedient. Be conscious about your pet's all activities. If you show this seriousness for your pet, your prospective landlord might just agree you to with your pet, thinking that you'll take care enough of your pet, should any mischief be done by your pet.

3. If you think your pet is all obedient and well-mannered then ask your landlord to make them introduce your pet. This shall provide them with enough evidence that the pet is indeed well-mannered and if kept, can be of no harm.

4. If that doesn't work, ask your landlord that you're ready to pay a higher rent and deposit, should anything go wrong in terms of damaging done by your pet to landlord's property.

Don't think that you will have live without a roof on top until you've a pet. Just consider these tips and be honest and open about your pet. Make all the necessary clarification about your pet's nature, what all you'll do to keep the property clean and stiff the way it is. Make sure you tell all and when agreed, make sure to include all the clauses in the renting contract.

With that, you would surely be able to find a landlord welcoming your stay with your adored and much loved pet.

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How to choose a right tenant - some useful tips

If you're a landlord out there and after showing many prospective tenants your house has been liked by one of such tenant, then it is for sure a sign of relief for you. But before fully finalizing your deal, here are some of the guidelines that you should go through and follow when you choose a tenant for you house.

Here are a few tips on choosing a right tenant:

1. The most essential tip of choosing a right tenant for your property lies in the fact of getting up-to-date references of the tenant from his former landlord and his present employer. The information will help the landlord know as to how regular was the tenant in paying rents, what are his habits, good, bad, the time he used to come home, was he messy or cultured and civilized in nature, etc. From the employer valuable information in terms of his work ethics, of how regular and hardworking he is at his work. The landlord will have to ensure the authenticity of the information and that of the people who have referred as well. As these days, friends can lie and be approached for writing references.
2. The second most essential tip is to ask for the tenant’s identity documents. As these days, people who don’t have good working record, or have bad image, or wants a house on rent for doing unethical works, do create wrong identity documents. It is therefore of uttermost importance to ask, check and verify personal identity documents of the tenants, such as birth certificate, passport, driving license, etc. This will ensure landlord’s trust for his/her tenant.
3. The next most essential thing to get it known of tenant is his affordability. More often than not, a prospective tenant might often want to go for a better furnished house which always costs higher. Even if the rent is out of his capacity to pay, he would still want to live on rent in that house. Then there would surge the problem of non-payment of rent resulting into arrears in rent. To avoid such a situation, it is therefore, advisable to ask the current employer of the tenant about his wage/salary and get it known that the amount might change later on. This information will help landlord know if his rent income would be regular or not.

So, if you are a landlord and have already found a tenant for your house, then you should only finalize the deal once all of the enlisted three things have been given to you by him. If you feel satisfied after verifying, only then should you finalize the deal.

However hassled process it may be, but the aforesaid tips must be any landlords list for his tenant, if he wants his house to be in safe hands and wants regular income from rent.

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