CEL Solicitors awarded £1,500 to a client whose landlord failed to protect their tenancy deposit.
UK landlords must protect their tenant’s deposits in a government-backed tenancy deposit protection scheme within 30 days of receiving the payment. If a landlord does not comply with their legal duty upon receiving a deposit, tenants can bring a claim for the return of the deposit with additional compensation.
Our client, Leanne (whose name has been changed for anonymity), began their tenancy in early 2023 and paid a deposit of £875. Sadly, Leanne’s landlord failed in their legal duty to protect her deposit.
To make matters worse, Leanne struggled to live in the property as it suffered from various defects including a broken toilet, damage to the walls from damp, and no running water.
Read more: £2,000 for Private Renter Whose Deposit Wasn’t Protected
Eventually, Leanne contacted CEL Solicitors who confirmed that her landlord had a scheme with MyDeposits yet failed to provide them with Leanne’s deposit.
Based on these factors, CEL’s tenancy deposit team presented a strong case to Leanne’s landlord and successfully awarded her £1,500.
Commenting on the case, Trainee Solicitor, Melissa Moulsdale said:
“Negligent landlords failing to protect their tenants’ deposits could be down to many reasons, such as financial constraints or a general lack of knowledge around home ownership. However, this does not make them exempt from meeting their legal requirements.
“At CEL Solicitors, we are committed to acting for tenants who have been wronged by ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve. We would urge any tenant who finds themselves in a similar situation to seek legal help from ourselves.”
