Free guide published for landlords and tenants on tenancy disputes

A new comprehensive guide to dispute resolution for landlords and tenants has been published.

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) and the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) have teamed to provide a guide on how to navigate potential conflicts that may arise during a tenancy without the need for legal action.

The free guide aims to educate landlords and tenants about their responsibilities and offers practical advice on preparing for disputes.

Tenancy relationships can end on a positive note

Some of the most common types of tenancy dispute claims include non-payment of rent and damage to property or items.

Steve Harriott, chief executive officer of TDS Group, said: “We want to provide landlords and tenants with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate the dispute process effectively and ensure fair outcomes for both parties.

“By understanding the principles of dispute resolution and having insight into what our adjudicators are looking for, we believe that disputes can be further minimised, and tenancy relationships can end on a positive note.”

Landlords must provide evidence

The TDS average time of dispute resolution varies across the UK with insured disputes resolved in England taking 20.5 days and custodial disputes in 20 days.

In Northern Ireland, insured and custodial disputes take an average of nine business days.

The TDS says being well-prepared for a dispute can help significantly in obtaining a positive result and reducing time delays.

The guide says: “Claims made for deductions from a deposit are civil claims, and therefore the adjudicator must be persuaded “on a balance of probabilities” that the tenant breached their obligations, and that the landlord has suffered, or is likely to suffer, a loss as a result.

“In simple terms, landlords must provide evidence that will support the claims they’ve submitted to have a chance of success.

“The deposit remains the property of the tenant until the adjudicator is shown sufficient evidence to prove the landlord has a justifiable claim. Adjudicators are impartial and the onus is on the landlord to convince them that the claim is valid.”

More information on the guide can be found here