By Tony Booth

Confusion abounds, as agents and landlords try to come to grips with the late release of vital information from government and the vast array of new rules and regulations.

Three different schemes, exorbitant fees and a tortuously complex system have compounded problems for both landlords and their tenants.

Some buy-to-let investors have resorted to the ultimate peril by accepting tenants without any deposit being collected at all - and subsequently they have relinquished any defence against damage costs borne at the end of the tenancy period.

Others have opted out of the decision-making process by allowing their letting agent to choose the best course of action, regardless of the fact that some are resorting to charging their clients inflated fees for the service.