Truro MP Matthew Taylor has joined Carrick Citizens Advice Bureau to work on ways to help rental tenants protect their deposits.

New rules to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants over deposits once a tenancy is complete came into force last week. Though most landlords and letting agents are fair in returning deposits, a sizeable minority retain unjustifiable amounts far in excess of any real damages and other costs. Victims are often left with no deposit to put down on their next rented property, forcing them into debt.

However, under the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme, all new deposits for assured shorthold tenancies (AST's) must be protected. The new law requires all landlords to be in one of three Government-approved schemes, and there are sanctions against those who do not comply with the law.

Mr Taylor has welcomed the regulations, but is urging tenants to make sure that they are protected before signing or renewing a contract. In a meeting today he joined Carrick Citizens Advice Bureau to work on ways to raise awareness amongst both landlords and renters over tenants' rights.

"The new regulations are good news for both tenants and landlords as they should bring an end to messy disputes over the return of deposits once a tenancy is over," he said.

"For a very long time tenants have had virtually no protection when it comes to getting their deposits back, and have been at the mercy of their landlord or letting agent. While most are fair in calculating what they need to repair damages and cover other costs, an unfortunate minority have used the gap in the law to line their pockets.

"The fact that the law now protects tenants against these opportunists is excellent, but it cannot be taken for granted that deposits will be safe. It is vital that anyone signing or renewing a rental contract checks that their landlord or agent has signed up to the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme to make sure that they don't get stung later on."