18 November 2009 - Changes to Deposit Protection Service process aims to reduce unreturned deposits

The Deposit Protection Service announced today in a letter to Letting Agents, Property Management Agents and landlords that it is making some changes to its process. As of 26th November any online deposit submissions will need to have either a mobile telephone number or an email address for the tenant. The DPS believes that this information will make it much easier for them to contact the tenants to arrange the return of the deposit after a tenancy has ended.

In the letter the DPS state that they currently have almost £5 million worth of unreturned deposits where they have been unable to contact the lead tenant. Most tenants will not see the distinction between the agent/landlord and the DPS and so this simply exacerbates the low opinion that many tenants have of their agents and landlords. There are over 8,000 tenancies affected.

Any change that can improve this situation is to be applauded.



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