A deposit alternative service has launched a product it claims will helps protect the rental sector from growing financial and regulatory pressures such as the Renters Rights Bill.

Flatfair’s Deposit Boost is a new direct-to-landlord service that enables landlords to recover tenancy-related costs that exceed the legal five-week deposit cap.

The provider claims that currently if arrears or damages exceed the deposit, agents or landlords have to go directly to the tenant to chase payments, negotiate disputes, or attempt to recover funds.

But the provider says Deposit Boost removes this burden because any excess charges unpaid by the tenant will be purchased by flatcar itself, which then pursues the tenant for the funds.

A statement from the firm says: “Flatfair handles all charges over the cash deposit, negotiations, and collections from tenants, removing the administrative and emotional drain on landlords and agents. If the tenant doesn’t pay, the landlord doesn’t have to wait — flatfair can step in to purchase the debt.”

However, this ‘debt purchase’ itself has a financial limit – of the equivalent of a further five weeks’ rent. 

A spokesperson for the firm says: “We already support thousands of landlords through our No Deposit end-of-tenancy protection. Deposit Boost is a natural extension – designed for those still using traditional deposits but needing peace of mind when things go wrong. As Section 21 evictions disappear and ASTs are reformed, landlords need greater certainty, not more risk. Deposit Boost delivers that – a one-off fee for robust protection, and the confidence that even unpaid charges can be recovered.”