TDS
-
Latest property news
Is new tenant deposits ‘charter’ a blueprint for future rules?
The UK’s longest-established tenant deposits scheme says it may make compliance with its new ‘deposits charter’ a condition of membership in the future. Drawn up with the help of The Property Ombudsman, ARLA Propertymark and RICS, its Code of Recommended Practice outlines the standards it expects of The Deposit Service (TDS) members when protecting deposits. The document also spells out how agents should frame terms of business with landlords and draw up tenancy agreements, complete check in and check out reports and negotiate deposit deductions. Tenant deposits Although TDS says its new ‘charter’ is not compulsory and only previous rules will be enforced formally, TDS says it “does reserve the right in the future to make compliance a membership a requirement”. The company also says that, because it deals with over 15,000 deposit disputes a year, this gives it the “outstanding insight into what causes tenancy deposit disputes, and what can be done better to avoid them arising”. But TDS is careful to point out that its charter does not replace the existing and “much more substantial” deposit codes of practice already in place from the other industry organisations. “It captures, in an easy to understand statement, those ‘best practice’…
Read More » -
Features
The foundation of better standards in PRS
TDS is the longest-running provider of insurance and custodial deposit schemes in England and Wales but it also does much to improve standards in the PRS through its Charitable Foundation.
Read More » -
Features
Ten years of tenancy deposit protection
Steve Harriott, Chief Executive of TDS, looks back at ten years of tenancy deposit protection schemes, saying that the PRS is definitely better now.
Read More » -
Charity
TDS celebrates National Best Companies Day
National Best Companies Day celebrates companies who have achieved the honour of placing on the list of best companies to work for.
Read More » -
Latest property news
TDS courses now cover (much) more than just tenancy deposits
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme has launched a six part training programme for letting agents and landlords. The training expands on its existing courses, which have focused on deposit protection and adjudication workshops. The programme kicks off with the legal issues around setting up a tenancy and the full day course will be led by Solicitor and TDS legal advisor Hilary Crook. The first course starts in March and is available to book now, with future courses being released in the coming months. Commenting on the launch, Steve Harriott, Chief Executive of TDS said; “Customers have really valued our deposit protection training but told us that they want more detail. These courses all tie back to deposit protection, but take a detailed look at key parts of the tenancy life cycle. With such a focus on raising standards in the private rented sector, our training is intended to arm the property professional with the insight and very best practice to stay the right side of the law.” Further dates for the popular TDS Academy Foundation course and adjudication workshop, are also now available. To book, visit https://www.tenancydepositscheme.com/academy TDS wins place in The Sunday Times Best 100 companies Meanwhile, The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)…
Read More » -
Features
Investigation: How are the tenancy deposit schemes performing?
Nigel Lewis talks to letting agents about their experience using tenancy deposit schemes and looks at a recently launched alternative.
Read More » -
Latest property news
TDS and Your Move publish rentals research
Half of UK tenants are aged over 46 and average new London rents are now over £1,750 a month.
Read More » -
Latest property news
New custodial deposit schemes launched
There is now a wider choice of schemes for landlords and lettings agents to protect their tenants’ deposits. Until now, the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) was the only choice for those wanting a custodial service, where the whole deposit is handed over to the scheme for the duration of the tenancy, with no fees attached. The custodial schemes are funded entirely from the interest earned from the deposit pool. Now two new custodial services have been launched by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) and Mydeposits, to run alongside their insured schemes which enable landlords or agents to retain the deposit during the tenancy but in return pay a protection fee to the scheme. Steve Harriott (left), Chief Executive at TDS, said, “As the UK’s leading provider of tenancy deposit protection, we know that landlords and agents in the private rental sector want more choice when it comes to meeting their legal obligations to protect tenancy deposits. “The launch of TDS Custodial now gives them that choice, providing a fast, free and secure service that removes the hassle from protecting their tenant’s money. Those who make the switch to TDS Custodial can expect a quick transfer of the deposit into our…
Read More » -
Products & Services
Tenancy deposit protection
It’s mandatory but there are choices – which one is best to protect your business and your clients?
Read More » -
Associations & Bodies
The PRS needs a dedicated research centre
The Trustees of the TDS Charitable Foundation have announced that the Foundation is seeking expressions of interest from organisations looking to establish a dedicated research centre for the private rented sector in England and Wales. The Foundation works to advance education about housing rights and obligations in the private rented sector. Making the announcement, Martin Partington (left), Chair of the Charitable Foundation said, “Since we established the charity in 2013, we’ve been overwhelmed with organisations seeking funding for a whole range of projects, but it has become quite apparent that there is a real gap in proper research in the PRS.” “The Trustees are concerned that there isn’t a dedicated centre for research and often when information is available, it appears in quite a fragmented way.” The TDS Charitable Foundation would be interested in receiving proposals for funding a feasibility study as to whether such a centre could be established for England and Wales. The Foundation is currently welcoming bids for the next round of funding which is open until the end of February 2016. Organisations can download an application form and view the bidding criteria online at www.tdsfoundation.org.uk Funding Enquiries: [email protected] 01442 218 031
Read More »
