Insured tenant deposit in dispute with no response from tenant?

Hello Everyone, The former tenant is disputing the deductions from his deposit. I need some clarity about what to do with the tenant deposit when it is an insured deposit scheme, as against a custodial one, while waiting for a resolution.

I was finally able to take possession of my property before the renter’s bill comes into law. However, the tenant had damaged the kitchen floor, removed some fixtures and made some unauthorised installation, which I had previously asked to be removed, but it wasn’t.

I got some costings and communicated them to the tenant, who is disputing and requesting to do the work himself via a contractor whom he says is cheaper.

I refused to allow him to re-enter my property and mentioned that he had more than 2 months’ notice to fix the obvious disrepair. I wrote to him that he can raise his dispute vis the Deposit Scheme.

I have been waiting for him to get back to me either via the deposit scheme or to agree on an amount so I can repay the balance of his deposit, but he hasn’t responded to me. I asked for his bank details, but he has refused to send them.

So, my question is: do I keep securing the deposit or end the insured deposit while waiting for a resolution? Especially as the tenancy has ended.

Thank you.

Naomi