McCausland encourages tenants to ensure deposits are protected

The Department for Social Development announced in a press release yesterday that it will launch a publicity campaign to raise awareness of tenancy deposit protection. One year on, the Minister said that whilst £10m of deposits have been protected he is still concerned that many are not. Here is what the Department said;

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has urged tenants in the private rented sector to ensure their deposits are protected under his Department’s Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

The Minister was speaking while announcing that over 18,500 tenancy deposits totalling £10 million have been protected throughout Northern Ireland during the first year of the scheme.

Minister McCausland said: “Legislation approved by the Assembly required that all tenancy deposits taken by landlords on, or after 1 April 2013, must be protected under the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. The regulations state that a landlord must protect a tenancy deposit within 14 days of receiving it and inform their tenant within 28 days where and how it has been protected.

“I welcome the fact that to date deposits totalling some £10 million have been protected throughout Northern Ireland. These tenants are now enjoying all the benefits of the scheme. I want however to make sure that all tenants are receiving this deposit protection as set out for them in legislation.