HC Deb 01 March 2004 vol 418 c775W
Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of tenants who did not have their deposits returned at the end of their tenancy in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [157309]

Keith Hill:

The following table shows for the last three years for which information is available, the estimated figures for the number of tenancies where the deposit was withheld (in full or in part) unreasonably in the view of the ex-tenant. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not sought to obtain the view of the landlord/agent.

Tenancies where ex-tenant stated that deposit was unreasonably

withheld: England

Thousand
2000–01 112
2001–02 99
2002–03 104
Average 105

As these estimates, which were derived from the Survey of English Housing, are subject to considerable sampling error no conclusion should be drawn about the trend.

Over the three-year period these retained deposits represented 21 per cent. of all completed tenancies where a deposit was paid.

Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to ensure that tenants receive their deposits back at the end of their tenancy; and if he will make a statement. [157310]

Keith Hill

I refer the hon. Member to the information given during the Standing Committee E on the afternoon of 24 February 2004,Official Report, columns 704–11.