Members of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Rutherfords Solicitors` Lettings Agency continues to be an approved member of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme administered by the Dispute Service. The system of mandatory tenancy deposit protection started in April 2007. The Tenancy Deposit Scheme is a Government authorised tenancy deposit scheme that also provides for the swift and impartial resolution of disputes by an Independent Case Examiner.

The Lettings Agency is situated at 5 Victoria Road Tamworth and provides a full professional management service to both landlords and tenants. The property services manager Pam Hemming is approved by the Law Society.

Landlords who receive a deposit from their tenants under an assured shorthold tenancy agreement and fail to register with one of the three authorised schemes will be liable to pay compensation to the tenant. The landlord is also required to serve prescribed information on the tenant explaining how the deposit has been protected. Breach by the landlord will enable the tenant to apply to the County Court for the deposit to be returned or protected within an approved scheme. In addition, the Court will order the landlord to pay compensation to the tenant equivalent to three times the deposit. Tenants who have not received the prescribed notice, or do not believe that their landlord has complied with the law and protected the deposit should seek advice from litigation partner Steve Wengraf.