How much does it cost to protect a deposit?
Why can't I register a tenancy for longer than 12 months?
How do I protect a deposit if only some of my tenants have given me the money?
What if a tenant leaves?
When can I renew a tenancy and how much will it cost?
I have properties that are not let to students. Can I still use the Unipol/TDS Deposit Protection Scheme for these tenancies?
If I try to pay online but change my mind, can I pay in the Housing Hub?
Can I claim utility bills from the deposit?
Please find below some sample FAQs about the Unipol/TDS Deposit Protection Scheme. More detailed FAQs are available once you have registered and gone in to the system.
How much does it cost to protect a deposit?
For deposits upto £500 there is a low deposit protection fee of only £13.20. For deposits over £500 the fee is £17.95. This means that if you have a joint tenancy you will only need to pay once, but if your tenants are on individual contracts you should protect each deposit separately. There are many reasons why you may operate a shared or individual tenancy and this scheme should not influence your practices.
Why c
an't I register a tenancy for longer than 12 months?
Unipol and TDS have agreed that tenancies can only be registered for up to 12 months in duration because this system is intended for student tenancies. Any tenancies longer than that will need to be renewed as they approach their end date. If the end date of the tenancy is definitely going to be longer than a year, enter the full year as the expected end of the tenancy and then renew the tenancy at a later date.
How do I protect a deposit if only some of my tenants have given me the money?
You must protect the deposit as quickly as possible in order to fulfil your legal obligations. If this scenario arises, you can protect the amount of deposit you currently hold and amend this once additional money has been paid. You will need to add tenants to the system as required.
What if a tenant leaves?
You can add or change tenants’ names to the tenancy but must remember to update the amount of deposit held. There is no additional charge to update details. Remember that changes to tenancy agreements should be reflected in the agreement as well as on your TDS page
When can I renew a tenancy and how much will it cost?
You can renew a tenancy when there are two months before a tenancy is due to end. You will be able to renew it when a "renew" link appears near to the tenancy in the tenancy list. You will also receive an e-mail to remind you one month prior to the end date of the tenancy. The cost will be the same as protecting a new tenancy at that time.
I have properties that are not let to students, can I still use the Unipol/TDS Deposit Protection Scheme for these tenancies?
Yes. However, all tenancies will be bound by the terms and conditions of this scheme with all disputes handled in the same way and the protection period limited for 12 months.
If I try to pay online, but change my mind, can I pay in the Housing Hub?
Yes. It is helpful if you can supply your reference number in this instance but we are able to process payment in the Housing Hub if you make a mistake.
Can I claim utility bills from the deposit?
Some tenancy agreements will state that tenants must pay all utility and council tax bills, and that the landlord may claim the cost of these from the deposit if any remain outstanding at the end of the tenancy. However a landlord will need to demonstrate that (s)he has, or will, suffer a financial loss as a result of a tenant's non-payment.
Notwithstanding this, if the contract for the supply of the utility is between the tenant and the utility company then we would consider whether or not the landlord has suffered a loss for which they are entitled to claim on the deposit. If no loss is suffered by the landlord we would not make an award in their favour.