Over 6,000 tenancy deposit disputes were filed with schemes and then withdrawn last year.

The figure includes cases where tenants have raised a dispute, but the scheme concerned has been unable to contact them for further information.

It also includes cases where the parties have reached agreement before going to arbitration; where cases are going to court instead; and where one of the parties has not submitted evidence within the required timescale.

The latest figure, of 6,267 withdrawn cases, shows a steadily rising trend, and has been revealed as the result of a written question tabled by Labour MP Richard Burden, who represents Birmingham Northfield.

Housing minister Brandon Lewis replied: “The number of disputed cases filed but withdrawn by each of the three authorised tenancy deposit schemes in the last five years is set out in the tables below.”

Number of cases withdrawn before adjudication by approved scheme

 MyDeposits (1)

2010/11                     177

2011/12                    1,012

2012/13                    1,324

2013/14                    1,626

2014/15                     1,728

Deposit Protection Service (3)

2011                            1,049 (4)

2012                            1,945

2013                            1,888

2014                            2,489

2015                            2,464

The Dispute Service

2011                            832

2012                            1,186

2013                            1,810

2014                            2,140

2015                            2,075

The housing minister said in his reply: “The upward trend in the number of cases withdrawn before adjudication is a result of the successful use of mediation services by the schemes before the formal adjudication process begins and the detailed guidance and advice provided to both landlords and tenants by the schemes to help avoid disputes.”