Paying deposit for renting a place

[Snow-Munki]

morning,

I'll be renting out a room hopefully from next week. I'll only be there 3 nights a week so only be paying £300 a month rent. They've asked for deposit which is fair enough.

Should I ask that the deposit goes into one of those deposit companies for safe keeping ? The landlord seems very relaxed about everything when I spoke to her last week, and is fairly new to this herself. Ie, she hasn't got a contract for me to sign either.

Was all initially arranged through spare room website.

Thanks,

 

[Ste]

In short, yes.

 

[koooowweeee]

I'm pretty sure it's no law that it has to go into holding scheme. You also get interest from it.

At the very least I would send via bank transfer so you have proof you paid that money

 

[benjii]

I'm pretty sure it's no law that it has to go into holding scheme. You also get interest from it.

At the very least I would send via bank transfer so you have proof you paid that money

It is a legal requirement to put the deposit in a TDP. If they don't, you can bend them over in the courts.

Here's something for you to read OP.

https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/overview

 

[stockhausen]

<SNIP>
Should I ask that the deposit goes into one of those deposit companies for safe keeping ?
<SNIP>

YES, failure to do so can have VERY expensive consequences.

I would recommend the Deposit Protection Service (LINK), they are easy to work with and are free.

 

[apatia77]

It is a legal requirement to put the deposit in a TDP. If they don't, you can bend them over in the courts.

Here's something for you to read OP.

https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/overview

I'm certain that it's not in shared accommodation. Just get it in writing that you paid X amount for deposit etc and ask to see some document so you can confirm ID and you will be fine.

 

[benjii]

I'm certain that it's not in shared accommodation. Just get it in writing that you paid X amount for deposit etc and ask to see some document so you can confirm ID and you will be fine.

I completely skipped over the room bit! You're right, resident landlords are under no legal obligation to protect a deposit.

 

[scorchisio]

Where will u be staying for the other 4 nights? I pay 300 a month for a 1 bed flat I live in full time.

 

[Kuros]

As has been said, the deposit doesn't legally need to be held securely by a third party, but it might be worth doing so anyway for peace of mind. The other thing to note is that if the person is new, it might be worth asking her to take a proper look into contracts and the like, either party wouldn't want to be stung at the end of things.

 

[Snow-Munki]

Hi thanks. I'm just working 4 days a week away from home so just need somewhere to stay for 3 nights.

I'll drop her an email and yes technically it's a room but I get the rest of the house to use / share.