The DPS and safeagent offer letting agents free online course on new tenancies – as Government eases coronavirus restrictions on moving house

28 May 2020

Bristol, 28 May 2020 – The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) and safeagent have created a free, online course to enable landlords to start tenancies off on the right footing – just as the Government eases restrictions on moving house during coronavirus.

Since 2007, the UK’s largest protector of tenancy deposits has run hundreds of face-to-face seminars for landlords and letting agents across the country.

As a result of restrictions on movement and assembly owing to the coronavirus pandemic, The DPS has increased its focus on offering online resources in order to be able to continue to share information and guidance.

The organisation has also issued separate guidance for tenants, agents and landlords on managing the tenancy process during the coronavirus pandemic.

Its new, interactive e-module Starting a residential tenancy, was produced in partnership with safeagent, the country’s leading, not-for-profit letting agent accreditation scheme, and covers tenancies in normal circumstances.

Designed to highlight best practice for landlords, the module covers:

Tenancy agreements
Receiving and protecting deposits
Check-in and check-out inventories
What makes a good tenancy agreement
Types of deposits
Information landlords must by law supply to tenants

The module is the second in a suite of four created with safeagent, which together form part of an accredited award.

Matt Trevett, Managing Director at The DPS, said: “Our latest online module with safeagent provides detailed information on the best way to initiate a successful tenancy.

”It’s vital that the industry keeps working together to share knowledge and support each other during these difficult times, so we’re pleased to be able to continue to engage with landlords and letting agents on tenancy best practice now that the Government has eased restrictions on moving house for renters.”

Isobel Thomson, Chief Executive Officer at safeagent, said: ”Our elearning modules in collaboration with The DPS enable lettings agents to ensure that they are meeting their responsibilities to tenants and creating the optimal start to a tenancy.”

Learners can also complete a test to check their understanding and will receive an eCertificate upon completion of the module, said The DPS.

Landlords can access the module, Starting a residential tenancy, at https://elearning.safeagents.co.uk/course/view.php?id=127. New learners will need to create a login and access the course via The DPS Training Hub.

On 13 May the Government lifted restrictions on house moves, so long as people observed safety and social distancing measures including maintaining a two meter distance from others not in the same household and frequent hand washing, said The DPS.

See The DPS’ FAQs on tenancies during coronavirus: https://www.depositprotection.com/news/latest-news/2020/deposit-protection-during-the-coronavirus-crisis-your-questions-answered/