NEW laws to protect vulnerable tenants from rogue landlords have been welcomed.

Those renting property said they are eagerly awaiting the introduction of plans to protect their deposits, claiming it will stop unscrupulous landlords effectively stealing their money.

But landlords and letting agents are furious that they have all been tarred with the same brush and could end up out of pocket.

From April 6 landlords will be required to hold all deposit money in one of two independent government-approved schemes for the duration of a tenancy.

In the event of a dispute, independent assessors will then decide whether tenants are entitled to their full deposit back or whether they should pay for items such as breakages, damage and cleaning.

"There is an element of rogue landlords," said Neil Stow, of Poole Citizens Advice Bureau. "As soon as the deposit goes into their bank account they see it as their money and are reluctant to return it.

"For someone on a low income this can have massive implications. People rely on their deposit to be able to move into a new property."

Thousands of Bournemouth University students rent property in the area and student support worker Anna Dodridge said the return of deposits is a very contentious issue.

"We encourage students to take photographs of the property so they can't be blamed for damage that was already there when they moved in - we definitely support the new scheme," she said.

Tenants usually pay around a month's rent in deposit, an average of around £900 for a family home or around £350-£400 per person in shared student accommodation.

The new scheme means landlords and agents will have to pay the cost of running the government-approved schemes, a requirement that many see as unfair.

"We have always operated in a very reasonable fashion and use non-biased, independent inventory clerks," said a spokesman for letting agents St Quintin and McConnell.

"There are a few companies who don't do this and who take advantage and they have ruined it for everyone else."

Mr Stow said tenants or landlords who need advice about the new schemes should contact their local Citizens Advice Bureau. The CAB has been campaigning for the scheme for many years, he added.