19th June 2006

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme has announced that it predicts a leap of 84% in the number of deposit disputes it will resolve this year. The increase is believed to be a result of growing membership and an increase in awareness of the benefits the scheme offers all parties concerned.

"People are increasingly aware that we deal with deposit disputes quickly, independently and fairly," said Lawrence Greenberg, Chief Executive of the TDS. "Agents in particular now have a greater understanding of the legal requirements that will come into force and with which they will have to comply."

These new requirements will make membership of a Deposit Protection scheme mandatory for all landlords and their agents in the Private Rented Sector.

"The disputes sent to us are falling equally in favour of landlords and tenants," reported Lawrence Greenberg.  He also said that very few referred disputes are single issue cases and this increases the likelihood that few disputes will result in an award that is wholly in favour of either the landlord or the tenant.

By the end of May, 100 cases had already been resolved, a massive spike when compared to just 131 cases resolved throughout 2005.

"The rising number of disputes resolved through us and the growing awareness of both the custodial and insured options for deposit protection combine to show that we are on the right track to make a success of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme when deposit protection becomes mandatory," Lawrence Greenberg added.

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme went live in May 2004 with the backing of the professional bodies who are active in the private rented sector: ARLA, the Association of Residential Letting Agents, the NAEA, the National Association of Estate Agents, and the RICS, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Currently, close to 1,200 offices of residential letting and managing agents are members.

More information for landlords, tenants and letting agents is available on www.tds.gb.com or on 0845 226 7837