Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Tenancy deposit protection (TDP) schemes ensure that money paid by tenants (as deposits) is kept safe.

The schemes guarantee that tenants will get their deposits back at the end of the tenancy, if they meet the terms of the tenancy agreement and do not damage the property. Landlords must protect their tenants' deposits using a government approved TDP scheme (See Links Provided) if they have let the property on an assured shorthold tenancy (AST) which started after 6^th April 2007. Any tenancy that begun before the 6^th April 2007 but has been renewed by way of a new tenancy agreement since this date needs to comply with the legislation and the original deposit amount needs to have been protected.

If these conditions don't apply - for example, because you live in the property with your landlord - the deposit does not have to be protected. However, it is still good practice to do so.

Landlords or agents must use one of the three approved TDP schemes to protect tenants' deposits where these conditions apply. If any other scheme is used, deposits are not protected in law. The three approved schemes are:

You should ask your landlord about the details of the scheme they are using. The landlord should provide you with details within 30 days of the deposit being paid, including:

contact details for the landlord or letting agent
the contact details of the tenancy deposit scheme they are using
items or services covered by the deposit
the circumstances under which the landlord will be able to retain some or all of the deposit
information on how to apply to get the deposit back at the end of the tenancy
what tenants can do if there is a dispute about the deposit

If your deposit is not protected in one of the three approved schemes you can take your landlord to the county court and you may have the deposit plus three times the amount of your deposit refunded.

The schemes:

encourage landlords and tenants to draw up clear tenancy agreements
provide a free service to resolve disputes

Ceredigion Bond Scheme

If you are having trouble providing the deposit, or bond, then there is a scheme in Ceredigion, funded by the Welsh Assembly, Local Authority, Dyfed Powys Probation and Social services and also sponsorship and support from the local community, which can provide the deposit, or bond, in the form of a guarantee to the landlord. This scheme is run and managed by Ceredigion Care Society who have offices in Aberystwyth and Cardigan.