Deposit Protection Service - shambolic service

[Deleted User]

S.B. Springs to mind.

[Deleted User]

I've had a good experience with the various deposit protection services I've used as a tenant over the last few years, are you sure that the deposit is protected in a custodial scheme rather than insured? If you can provide more details knowledgeable members here will be able to provide you with some insight into the process and where your problem may be coming from. I would suspect it's far more likely to be the fault of the landlord.

Although it's understandable that you are frustrated about delays, it's highly unlikely that this is intentional on behalf of the protection scheme given that the interest they stand to gain on a 1 month delay of a few hundred pounds is negligible in comparison with the cost of dealing with multiple complaints. From a purely financial point of view they have every incentive to have the deposit returned as soon as possible, because tenants have ants in their pants and are always in contact for information.

Pixie5740

treetops wrote: »

It is not automatic that deposits are returned at the end of the scheme, as the last poster seems to believe, it is still like fighting tooth and nail and the landlords still look to make ridiculous deductions. The process is very lengthy and I actually feel it is more supportive of the landlord than the tenant. Albeit any disputes are dealt with by DPS, but you have to jump through hoops even to get to the dispute stage. DPS do not respond to complaints so this does not lead to any confidence in their ability to deal with disputes.

Where did I say that I thought deposits were automatically returned at the end of the scheme. What I said was that I prefer the deposit schemes compared with what went before. I also acknowledged that it could take time to have a deposit returned. Overall my experience of the deposit scheme initiative has been very positive. I don't agree that the deposit schemes favour the LL as LLs have to submit evidence when there's a dispute whereas before my deposits were withheld for a whole manner of !!!! and bull reasons.

treetops wrote: »

My son is studying a degree which is costing £9500 a year for his fees , on top of this is accommodation £90 a week + food and clothes. All funded by student loan. He has had to fork out another £200 deposit this year for accommodation , because of delay in previous deposit being returned.

Many renters have to find a deposit for the next place before the previous deposit has been returned. That's nothing new to do with the deposit protection schemes and your son is not alone.

Has your son considered getting a job whilst at university to help fund his studies?

[Deleted User]

Pixie5740 wrote: »

Where did I say that I thought deposits were automatically returned at the end of the scheme. What I said was that I prefer the deposit schemes compared with what went before. I also acknowledged that it could take time to have a deposit returned. Overall my experience of the deposit scheme initiative has been very positive. I don't agree that the deposit schemes favour the LL as LLs have to submit evidence when there's a dispute whereas before my deposits were withheld for a whole manner of !!!! and bull reasons.



Many renters have to find a deposit for the next place before the previous deposit has been returned. That's nothing new to do with the deposit protection schemes and your son is not alone.

Has your son considered getting a job whilst at university to help fund his studies?

Pixisquid. Thanks you for your reponses. 1. DPS do not reply to complaints. 2. I am pleased your experience of deposit schemes has been positive and I hope that remains . In my short experience on this forum other tenants are also experiencing diffs. FYI my son is working tonight thanks for your interest.

anselld

You have not explained what your complaint with the DPS is.

I guess they may well not respond to you as they have no business with you. Your son will need to deal with them if it is his deposit I question.

Pixie5740

treetops wrote: »

Pixisquid. Thanks you for your reponses. 1. DPS do not reply to complaints. 2. I am pleased your experience of deposit schemes has been positive and I hope that remains . In my short experience on this forum other tenants are also experiencing diffs. FYI my son is working tonight thanks for your interest.

What is the actual complaint?

The difficulties that other tenants on the forum tend to experience is that when the tenancy ends the LL or LA proposes all kinds of ludicrous deductions. (Keeping in mind that only tenants and landlords where things are going wrong tend to post here). Now tenants have the option of disputing the deductions through the deposit schemes and the onus is on the LL/LA to prove the deductions are reasonable. This is where a quality, comprehensive inventory taken at the start and end of the tenancy comes into play. Without one the LL/LA is up the proverbial creek without a paddle even if the T has caused damage.

What is your complaint with DPS? Is it the arbitration process? Perhaps one of the forum users can suggest a way forward for your son.

[Deleted User]

Pixie my biggest issue with DPS i.e. my complaint is re their processes which are very confusing. Staff also give the barest minimum advice. The other scheme TDS seems much more straightforward from what I can see online.

My son moved into the let mid term after another student had left. There were 5 students , who each had a room. The LL did not provide a detailed inventory with photographs. My son may have been given a list of items, I am going to try and find this. My son was the last student to move out, none of the students had cleaned the communal areas, so we did this and took photos everything was clean and tidy also his bedroom, which we took photos of. I then text the LL and asked him to confirm the full bond would be refunded or if there was any further cleaning that he required doing. We did not complete an inventory. The LL text back so say that he was happy with the cleaning, no further cleaning was required and we could chose the way the deposit was returned by via DPS either cheque or transfer. We then submitted an online claim via DPS, which surprise surprise the landlord rejected. I then text the LL and asked he why he had rejected the claim, stating that he was given several opps to state if he had an issues , but certainly did not state anything. My husband also offered to meet the LL at the let, unless the LL regarded that everything had been left to his satisfaction. The LL then text me back stating that slats on the bed were broken ? the door is broken ? and the blinds were broken? surprise surprise. So we have had no contact from the LL other than via text, obviously we are disputing his claim. He will of course need to provide photos of this to DPS. The blinds were cheap and cheerful bamboo type and my son is stating they were not damaged. We certainly did not turn the bed over and check the slats when my son moved in. Also re the door it was not hanging off the hinges there is a very small crack in the woodwork. So LL basically just trying it on. Guess he does this with all the other students as well.

martindow

theartfullodger wrote: »

I fear you - and presumably your esteemed son - have misunderstood: The debt is there, to be repaid, regardless of him getting a job or not...

Yes but debt repayments are only required when the former student is earning above a certain figure (~£20k?).

Students who go on to work for low pay will not pay back much if anything and their loans will need to be written off. Paradoxically raising tuition fees has increased the annual cost of money lent out and eventual losses. This is why the government abandoned their scheme to sell off the student loans book a few months ago.

bouicca21

So your next step, OP, is to submit your evidence - lack of dual signed check in and check out inventory, photos, texts etc - to dps who will then ask LL for his/her evidence. When I raised a dispute over failure to return deposit it took approximately 3 months for an adjudication. I submitted every last piece of evidence I could find concerning communication with LL, just in case .... It was a very straightforward case (decidedly dodgy landlord) but even so the rat obviously had to be given time to respond. It was a stressful time but I got my money in full at the end, so it was worth the hassle.

theartfullodger

bouicca21 wrote: »

So your next step, OP, is to submit your evidence - lack of dual signed check in and check out inventory, photos, texts etc - to dps who will then ask LL for his/her evidence. When I raised a dispute over failure to return deposit it took approximately 3 months for an adjudication. I submitted every last piece of evidence I could find concerning communication with LL, just in case .... It was a very straightforward case (decidedly dodgy landlord) but even so the rat obviously had to be given time to respond. It was a stressful time but I got my money in full at the end, so it was worth the hassle.

Almost: No,the OP could but likely deposit scheme will ignore him as he is not a party to the deposit: The TENANT must take these actions.. Presumably in this case whoever was nominated "lead tenant", maybe not OP's son.

My experience of deposit schemes has been good: prompt, effective. But what do I know eh?

I have 3 sons, all esteemed, not least in my eyes, all been through university & private lets: When I said "esteemed" I was being polite. If that was misunderstood I am sorry & disappointed. Brought my boys up to stand up for themselves, and I cannot imagine any circumstance in the last 10 years when I would have presumed to try & sort out a problem for any of them: I've drafted emails/letters for them to write or given them advice, but not jumped in as "bleedin' parent"...

Thank you for your kind thoughts!