Students 'will benefit from TDS rules'

Students returning to university are set to benefit from the newly introduced tenancy deposit scheme (TDS), industry experts have claimed.

The National Landlords Association (NLA) has estimated that over 500,000 students will benefit from TDS rules in the coming academic year.

Separate figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) recently indicated that 867,000 students have previously lost some or all of their deposit.

However, the NLA believes that the new scheme will help make sure more students get all of their deposit back.

The organisation's chair, David Salusbury, explained: "At the end of each academic year, we hear anecdotes of students who feel hard done by, having part or all of the deposit on their rented property withheld.

"In a few cases, the landlord has clearly acted unreasonably and from this year the new tenancy deposit protection rules will enable the tenant to obtain redress."

However, Mr Salusbury added that students themselves had a responsibility to make sure their rented property was well looked after.

He added: "It won't help students get their money back if they have failed to deliver their side of the deal."

The NLA issued some advice for students. This included taking photos on moving in, asking for a receipt for any repair work and continuing to communicate with the landlord throughout the year.