Cleaning the main cause of Disputes according to TDS
According to a recent report from the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) cleaning has yet again been the single largest cause of end-of-tenancy disputes leading to deposits being retained.
New reported TDS figures show a large percentage of cleaning disputes across the united Kingdom;
England & Wales: 49%
Northern Ireland: 42%
Scotland: 70%
In my experience this has always been an issue throughout the country and it is important to instruct a good/reliable cleaning company who will offer a cleaning guarantee for the inventory & check in. This means any oversights missed will be rectified. So when it comes to the check out the property is expected to be returned in the same condition. Without a check in, there is no true evidence of the property condition, which makes it extremely hard to win in the event of a claim.
Cleaning was followed by disputes over damage and redecoration.
Surprisingly, even with the unfortunate events of covid-19 and uncertainty in jobs, only 15% of disputes where due to arrears.
The overall number of disputes fell during the year under review. TDS says just 0.7 per cent or 26,907 of tenancies ended in a dispute during 2020/2021 - well down on the 2019/20 figures of 0.85 per cent and 34,993.
Of the registered disputes, 75 per cent were raised by tenants, 17 per cent by agents, and just eight per cent by landlords.
For more statistical information visit TDS Statistical Briefing here.
Letting Managing Partner