News Category: Industry News
Published: 13-Sep-2010

Housing minister Grant Shapps has urged prospective tenants to use only agents who belong to accreditation schemes.

His comments follow a report by Shelter which found that a number of landlords treated their tenants badly.

Shapps said: “Shelter’s campaign draws much-needed attention to the minority of landlords who seek to exploit their tenants, and the criminals preying on those looking for somewhere to live.

“I want to join with them in urging anyone looking for rented accommodation to protect themselves and their deposits by using agents belonging to accreditation schemes such as those run by the Association of Residential Letting Agents, the National Approved Letting Scheme or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

“Tenants should also ask for clear written agreements with their landlords, and can challenge unfair charges through the Office of Fair Trading.”

Shapps added: “The Government is also doing its bit through the Tenant Deposit Protection Scheme, under which nearly 1.9m deposits are protected.

“Landlords not protecting deposits face tough penalties and I would urge any landlord not already registered with the scheme to do so.”