02/11/2009 - More video used in tenant disputes
An increasing number of landlords and letting agents are utilising video footage in an effort to settle tenancy deposit dispute cases.
Each week, Government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme mydeposits.co.uk's online dispute service receives up to five pieces of video evidence.
And this figure is increasing, as landlords and letting agents realise there must be clear evidence submitted if they wanted to withhold all or part of a deposit at the end of a tenancy.
By law, the starting point for dispute resolution is that the deposit money belongs to the tenant, not the landlord. To retain all or part of the deposit the landlord must provide evidence for any damage or other costs. When tenancy deposit legislation came into effect, many landlords and agents failed to provide the necessary evidence and consequently lost out in disputes.
As more landlords get to grips with the dispute process some are now turning to video footage, finding it an effective way to prove a property's condition at the beginning and end of tenancy. "It makes tenants realise you are professional and in turn I've found that tenants are more likely to look after the property," added a Bournemouth landlord.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
Related links
|
