Local MP champions new rights for tenants
Andrew Gwynne, the Labour MP for Denton and Reddish, is calling for all private tenants in Tameside and Stockport to make sure their landlord protects their deposits under new laws on tenancy deposit protection, which come into force on 6th April.
Following a joint campaign by Shelter, Citizens Advice and supported by Andrew Gwynne MP, all new deposits for assured short hold tenancies (ASTs) will now have to be protected. The new law requires all landlords to be in a Government-approved scheme, with sanctions against those who don’t comply. Anyone signing a tenancy agreement after April 6th should ask their landlord or agent how their deposit will be protected.
Last year more than three-quarters of all tenants who had their money withheld claimed it was retained unfairly. With the average deposit now reaching £700 in England, losing a deposit can cause real hardship and lead to homelessness.
These new tenant rights will be good news for both tenants and responsible landlords. Andrew Gwynne MP is raising awareness of the new scheme that will help protect tenants’ money, and also help to resolve disputes over deposits at the end of tenancy.
Andrew Gwynne MP said:
“This is great news. Too many tenants in Tameside and Stockport are facing problems getting their deposit returned. This scheme will provide a vital safety-net for both tenants and responsible landlords. From 6th April, every landlord will have to be signed up to one of the Tenancy Deposit Protection schemes, so I want to make sure local tenants know to ask their landlord or agent which scheme they are part of before signing a new contract.”
Yvette Cooper, Minister for Housing and Planning said:
“It is outrageous that tenants are being ripped off by unscrupulous landlords who treat deposits like an extra month’s rent. That’s why we have introduced this important scheme, which will strengthen the rights of private renters across the country.”
MOVING HOME COSTS THE UK ECONOMY OVER £500M EVERY YEAR
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Posted: 3rd May 2007
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The introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) could considerably reduce the impact of stress, for both the consumer and for the economy, says the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP).
Mike Ockenden Director General, AHIPP said: “The high levels of transaction failure and the extended period of uncertainty between offer and exchange of contracts in the current home buying and selling process is one of the most stressful times that consumers will endure in their lifetime.
“Several studies have shown that the stress of moving home ranks only behind ill health, relationship breakdown and bereavement yet, incredibly we have simply learnt to accept this in the UK - unlike in most European and Western countries, where this is far from the norm.”
Impact on the economy
Research carried out this year by Your Move, a national estate agency asked a cross section of purchasers who had just completed the home buying process about their experience. In particular, purchasers were asked about the stress associated with the process and if it affected their productivity at their place of work, with over 40% of respondents reporting that they were less productive at work when going through the current process.
Ockenden adds: “Even a very conservative analysis reveals that if a 10% loss of productivity is experienced by 40% of all people involved in the house buying and selling process, the cost to the economy is over £500 million a year. HIPs will significantly reduce the time taken to exchange of contracts - by bringing more information, which can often prove timely to collate, to the front of the process.
“HIPs will undoubtedly have the benefit of reducing stress levels for home buyers and sellers across the UK and as a result, this could potentially translate into a huge benefit, not only for the consumer but for the wider economy.” |
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