Illegal deposit retention by landlords the biggest cause of concern among tenants

The retention of tenants’ deposits by landlords is the most common reason people are seeking help from the biggest housing charity in the State.

According to Threshold, which publishes its annual report this morning, the refusal of landlords to return tenants' deposits when they leave the accommodation is illegal in most cases.

It is leading to severe financial hardship and even homelessness. The charity is calling for a legally binding deposit-protection scheme, similar to that introduced in Northern Ireland in April.

Bob Jordan, Threshold chief executive, said the retention of a deposit – which averages €800 across the State – can represent a life's savings for low-income households.

“The problem of deposit retention has become more acute in recent years because many landlords themselves are facing financial difficulties and simply don’t have the money to hand back.”