TDS sees 25% rise in tenancy deposit disputes as agents raise one-third of claims

The value of deposits protected by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme grew by £100m last year, to over £1.3bn.

This is £300m more than the other providers, said the TDS.

The scheme also saw a 25% increase in deposit disputes, to 11,900. It is the only scheme which allows landlords and agents as well as tenants to raise disputes.

Last year, 53% of disputes were raised by tenants, 12% by landlords and 35% by agents.

The TDS figures show that 19.2% of all disputes raised resulted in 100% pay-outs to tenants; 19.8% of all disputes raised by landlords or agents resulted in 100% pay-outs to them; while in the remaining 61% of cases, the disputed money was split between the parties.

Most of the disputes in England and Wales were about cleaning (58%), followed by damage £52%, redecoration (32%), gardening (17% and rent arrears (10%).

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, cleaning and damage headed the causes for disputes but were followed by rent arrears.

In total, across the UK, including Northern Ireland and Scotland where spin-off schemes are run, 14,967 disputes were resolved last year.

The average amount of money disputed in cases across England and Wales was £831.

The average deposit across England and Wales is £1,181; for TDS Northern Ireland it is £592; and for SafeDeposits Scotland it is £690.

The TDS has also launched its charitable foundation in the last year, awarding almost £100,000 to educational projects.

The TDS annual report is published today and can be found here

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