A MOTION to protect the security of tenants' deposits has been presented in the Scottish Parliament.

MSPs debated the issues surrounding the implementation of the Scottish Government's scheme to protect private tenant deposits.

Glasgow MSP and Scottish Green Party leader Patrick Harvie led the debate, called Protecting Tenants' Deposits, and urged the Scottish Government to give a "greater voice" to private tenants.

As reported in the Evening Times on May 20, the Citizens Advice Bureau calls it the biggest issue facing young people in the city.

A new law that requires private landlords to lodge deposits in a special account to ensure the money is safely returned once a tenancy comes to an end, came into effect on May 15.

But, according to figures from SafeDepositsScotland, one of the independent deposit schemes, only half of the 291,000 potential deposits have been transferred.

With Holyrood working on a Bill to regulate the industry, Mr Harvie called for a "strong" deposit scheme to drive up standards.

He said: "The deposit scheme needs to be a strong system if it is going to drive up standards, but like so many housing policies, awareness among tenants is low and enforcement of tenants' rights is lacking.

"I want to see a greater voice for private tenants in what is an increasingly important part of our housing mix.

"The private rented sector is especially important in areas such as Glasgow.

"It needs to be viable for landlords, but it also needs to operate with a basic respect for the rights of tenants.

"Good quality landlords and letting agents, those who understand they are not simply raking in the cash from their properties, but selling a service to paying customers, such people have nothing to fear from proper regulation of the industry."

A Housing Bill from the Government is expected this year.