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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the merits of deposits for private renters.

The government believes the current requirements for private rented sector (PRS) tenants to pay, and PRS landlords to protect, a tenancy deposit are reasonable.

The Housing Act 2004 requires landlords to protect deposits taken in England and Wales for assured shorthold tenancies, on or after 6 April 2007, with a government-authorised Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) scheme. These schemes operate with no cost to the tenant.

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 created legal limits to the amount of deposit that can be charged, and Trading Standards can fine landlords up to £5,000 for breaking the rules and up to £30,000 for multiple breaches.

As part of the re-procurement process of these schemes we are reviewing the operation of the TDP system and identifying areas for improvement.