Edinburgh landlord ordered to pay tenants three times deposit

A case in Scotland has served as a stark warning to landlords to make sure they protect tenants’ deposits.

Edinburgh landlord Andrew Meehan was ordered to pay his tenants three times the deposit amount after he failed to correctly protect their money.

Tenants Ross Fraser and Alison Pease received a £3,450 payout in one of the first cases brought by tenants under new government regulations started in 2012. The tenants moved out of the Cumberland Street flat in July.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Meehan had failed to pay the £1,1,50 deposit into a recognised deposit protection scheme.

Shelter Scotland, which campaigned for deposit protection legislation, said the ruling was a major breakthrough which should send a powerful warning to landlords who do not abide by the law.

Ross Fraser and Alison Pease, said: "We are delighted with the sheriff's decision in this case.

"We believe it serves as a warning to other landlords about the necessity of complying with the tenancy deposit regulations, which remove the need for tenants to take rogue landlords to court to ensure the fair return of their deposits."

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: "The tenancy deposit scheme is a transparent and fair system brought in last year under a fanfare of publicity and awareness, so there is no reason why any landlord in Scotland should be failing to protect their tenants' deposits.

"This is a landmark ruling that should inspire confidence in all those tenants who fear their deposit is not being protected to take action and should act as a strong warning to all landlords who are not protecting their tenants' deposits to do so."