Tenants 'should ask landlords' for proof of registration

Posted: 15 Sep 2010 10:07:47 GMT

Tenants are not aware of the mandatory safeguards that are in place when they are renting a property, one expert has indicated.

A spokesman for the Tenancy Deposit Scheme said those who are leasing a domicile should always ask for proof of registration.

"If for any reason you are not going through an agent, which can happen, you always have that first line of defence regardless of how you actually find the property," he added.

The representative explained the document will ensure the deposit is protected, as this is likely to be the largest amount of money a resident will have handed over.

He noted proprietors who have not registered their tenants will be liable for a fine worth three times the amount they put down to secure the deal.

According to Shelter, almost one million people have been the victim of a scam involving a private tenancy agreement in the last three years
 

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