Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support tenants from landlords who inappropriately withhold a tenant's security deposit at the end of a tenancy.

Landlords are required to put a deposit received in relation to assured periodic tenancies into a government-approved Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) scheme.

These schemes act to ensure that a tenant gets their deposit back at the end of their tenancy, provided they meet the terms and conditions of their tenancy agreement.

If there is a dispute over the deposit, the tenant should contact the relevant TDP provider, and the provider can then advise them of the next steps.

My Department is currently reviewing the deposit system to ensure it works effectively and identify improvements which will ensure the best possible protection for tenants.