Students welcome movement on tenancy deposits

Responding to the announcement on options for an Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme made by Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil today, NUS Scotland Depute President, Liam Burns, said:

"NUS Scotland welcomes the Government’s commitment to moving forward on protection for tenancy deposits. Unfairly withheld deposits are one of the biggest issues for students living in the private rented sector.

“NUS Scotland has undertaken considerable research which shows a third of students have had their deposits withheld. Although we recognise that the majority of landlords maintain high standards, we remain committed to the introduction of a tenancy deposit scheme in Scotland, similar to that which already exists in England and Wales, as the only way to combat deposits being unfairly withheld by a minority of unscrupulous landlords.

"We look forward to continuing our work with the Minister and the stakeholder working group on this issue.”