It should be illegal (if not already illegal) to force tenants to use Flatfair if they want to rent the property. It is advertised as being "non-compulsory" and "completely optional" but letting agents are forcing tenants to use this scheme (I have heard from other people's personal experience too)! I have had to fight for my right to pay traditional deposit after my letting agents told me I have to accept Flatfair if I want the property despite me challenging their claims on their website that it is "completely optional". They told me it's what the landlord wants but honestly it should not be the landlord's decision when it is being advertised as optional! Of course it is more beneficial to the letting agents (who make commission from getting tenants/landlord to use flatfair), but it is unnacceptable to not give tenants the option as falsely advertised. Traditional deposits in protected deposit schemes are far better options for tenants in my opinion and the costs are fully refundable to the tenant. Flatfair takes non-refundable charges and still charges you out of your own pocket at end of tenancy for any charges, whist letting agents force/pressure you to still pay for "monthly tenancy liability insurance" costs if you want to rent the property, which end up being very expensive in the long-term AND the letting agents make good commission from all of this! It should be offered as an alternative option for tenants who do not want to or can not pay the traditional deposit in protected schemes, not be forced to take Flatfair! Please stop forcing tenants to use Flatfair and pay their monthly costs, if they prefer deposit protection schemes instead! Edit: it took so much effort and stress, persistent emails and constantly fighting for my rights for the letting agents Haart Nuneaton to allow me to use traditional deposit. They even told me “It’s the landlord’s wishes” that I must I abide by… Is this really a choice or is it the money-making scheme for letting agents to push landlords and tenants into this dreadful situation. I made a complaint and unsurprisingly, the manager backed up the person I made a complaint against, so I had to escalate the claim higher. Corruption at its finest. In the end I withdrew my complaint because it was causing me too much distress and I was already going through a difficult emotional time in life. I have heard the same complaint from other people regarding being forced to take Flatfair. It’s really such a disgrace and should cease to exist. The commission paid to letting agents for tenants and landlords take Flatfair against their will is a huge problem that needs to be addressed immediately. It’s very wrong and I am very against this company as well as the letting agents, promoting injust, deceptive and illegal behaviour.