Landlords should take action to join the new tenancy deposit protection scheme, according to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).

The new scheme, which applies to landlords who take deposits from their tenants with an assured short-hold tenancy agreement, will come into force on April 6th 2007.

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) is advising landlords who have not already joined one of the government-backed tenancy deposit protection providers to take action now. There are two government-backed schemes available via the websites: www.DepositProtection.com and www.MyDeposits.co.uk.

Jan Bartlett, lettings expert at the NAEA said: “As of April 6th if you let a property under an assured short-hold tenancy agreement, you have to be part of a government authorised scheme. If you are not then you may be ordered to repay the deposit you hold, with the possibility of an additional fine.”