Continued success of Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Tuesday, 06, Nov 2007 10:41

Statistics released by the Dispute Service have further underlined the development of the government's Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS).

For the first time figures published by the umbrella body overseeing the scheme reveal its progress since deposit protection became a legal requirement in the private rented market earlier this year.

The TDS now safeguards up to £283 million in tenants' deposits.

Furthermore some 217,134 landlords have now joined to the scheme, covering 282,364 tenancies in which 428,769 tenants are housed.

The average deposit covered by the scheme is now over £1,200, higher than previously reported.

Furthermore the dispute service has now begun to develop its role as an independent dispute resolution and redress organisation in the private rented sector.

After a peak of calls to the service in April, where some 12,000 were recorded, the Dispute Service now receives an average of 800 calls a week.

Over 50 per cent of the calls received relate to disagreements over cleaning premises at the end of a tenancy, while damage to property is another popular concern.

Rent arrears and gardening were also regular causes of disputes.

Overall, the scheme finds equally in favour of landlords and tenants.

"These figures from our TDS and the services for independent redress underline our position as the premier dispute service for the private rented sector," commented Lawrence Greenberg, chief executive of the Dispute Service.