The Tenant Deposit Scheme (TDS) will provide protection to both parties in the event of a dispute erupting over the state of the dwelling at the time the tenant moves out, jeopardising their deposit.
Supplying an inventory will be a prerequisite of the scheme, with the evidence therein forming the crux of the resolution. Jonathan Senior, a spokesperson from inventoryclerk.com comments: The provision of an independent inventory must be a core assumption of the TDS how can a dispute be resolved, if the very document upon which a possible dispute is based on is not included?
Inventories are prepared at the start of an individuals tenancy whereby the condition of all fixtures and fittings, as well as the general state of the dwelling, is documented. Senior believes that when the scheme is introduced this April, there must be a sufficient number of trained clerks in order to produce these inventories in line with the expected uptake of the TDS.
The National Landlords Association (NLA) is sponsoring one of the two insurance schemes which will principally concern landlords and agents outside of RICS, ARLA or the NAEA, although questions have been raised about the need for accurate, detailed documentation of a property and its contents.
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