Important information for landlords and tenants

New laws that come into force in 2007 will be good news for both tenants and landlords.

Gravesham Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is raising awareness of the new scheme that will help protect people's money and help resolve disputes when they arise over tenants' deposits at the end of their tenancy.

For years tenants have had little protection if their landlord chose to keep all or part of their deposit at the end of tenancy. Arguments over how much a landlord should keep to cover damage or other expenses often ended with the tenant losing out, or the case having to go to court involving sometimes expensive court hearings.

Under the new Tenancy Deposit Protection scheme, which comes into force on 6 April 2007, all new deposits for assured shorthold tenancies (AST's) must be protected. The new law requires all landlords to be in a Government-approved scheme and there are sanctions against landlords who don't comply with the law. Anyone signing a tenancy agreement after 6 April should check with the landlord or agent how their deposit will be protected.