The Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland (CIH) has signalled its support for moves by the Scottish Government to address issues related to tenancy deposits in the private rented sector.

Both tenants and landlords have found that issues over the use of and return of deposits can become an area for disagreement and dispute and can create financial hardship for the former tenant.

Nick Fletcher, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, CIH Scotland said: "Tenants and landlords have for a long time had concerns about how best to resolve disputes when it comes to agreeing whether any of a deposit should be withheld at the end of a tenancy.

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"CIH has raised this issue many times, noting that there is currently not an easy to access means of resolving a dispute other than through the courts, a process that many tenants cannot afford."

CIH have previously proposed that the powers of the Private Rented Housing Panel should be expanded to provide a service to resolve disputes over tenancy deposits. "Firstly through mediation but also with the power to enforce a ruling if no agreement between landlord and tenant can be reached. We are pleased that the Scottish Government is looking at this and believe that along with local authority landlord registration powers it provides a better solution for Scotland than having to create a new and separate tenancy deposit protection scheme.

"Hopefully the new Housing (Scotland) Bill due to go before the Scottish Parliament early next year will provide for an extension of the role Private Rented Housing Panel," said Mr Fletcher.

(GK/JM)