The first tenancy deposit scheme to be approved is the Letting Protection Service Scotland.

The scheme also aims to protect the reputation of the majority of private rented sector landlords who act professionally and responsibly.

Once in place landlords or their agents must pay deposits to an approved scheme and provide key information about the tenancy, the deposit, and the scheme which is protecting it, to the tenant.

The scheme will be free for landlords and letting agents to participate in and will provide access to a free and independent dispute resolution service, where agreement over the return of a deposit cannot be agreed by the tenant and landlord.

Two further schemes are being considered with the intention of starting all three schemes, which will operate across Scotland from July 2, 2012. In order to provide landlords time to prepare, the legal requirements to submit deposits into a scheme will come into effect from November this year.

Brown said: “Up to 11