Guides
How TDS, DPS and mydeposits disputes work for landlords: how each one starts, when your evidence is due, what adjudicators look for and how to set out each deduction. Every fact is checked against the scheme’s own rules, and dated.
TDS guide
In a TDS dispute you submit your evidence within 5 working days of TDS’s invitation, then the tenant responds. An adjudicator decides on the papers alone, starting from the position that the deposit is the tenant’s, so each deduction stands on the evidence you send.
DPS guide
In a DPS dispute you and the tenant each get 14 calendar days from DPS’s evidence request to send your evidence. An adjudicator then decides on the papers alone. The deposit is the tenant’s until you show each deduction is justified, so the claim stands on your evidence.
mydeposits guide
Once a mydeposits case moves to resolution, both sides confirm their final evidence: within 5 working days for a custodial deposit, 10 working days for an insured one. An adjudicator decides on that evidence, and the deposit is the tenant’s unless you prove each deduction.
Guide
Write to the tenant with each deduction, what it costs and your evidence, and try to agree. If you can’t, your deposit scheme’s free dispute service decides on paper, if you both agree to use it: you send your evidence by its deadline and an adjudicator decides. Otherwise, it’s court.
Guide
All three disputes are free, optional and decided on paper, and the deposit is the tenant’s until you prove each deduction. What differs is the evidence deadline: TDS 5 working days, DPS 14 calendar days, mydeposits 5 working days (10 working days insured).
Guide
Fair wear and tear is the deterioration that comes from a tenant living in a home reasonably, plus time itself. A landlord can’t deduct for it. Damage, missing items and cleaning below the check-in standard can be claimed, but only a fair share of the cost, allowing for the item’s age.
Guide
Evidence that the tenant broke the tenancy and that it cost you something, judged on the balance of probabilities. The deposit is the tenant’s until you prove each deduction, so adjudicators look for check-in and check-out reports that compare, dated photos, and invoices or quotes.
| Rule | TDS custodial | TDS insured | DPS custodial | DPS insured | mydeposits custodial | mydeposits insured |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your evidence deadline | 5 working days | 5 working days | 14 calendar days | 14 calendar days | 5 working days | 10 working days |
| Then the tenant has | 5 working days | 5 working days | 14 calendar days | 14 calendar days | – | – |
| The clock starts | The date TDS invited you to submit your evidence. | The date TDS invited you to submit your evidence. | The date of the DPS email asking for your evidence. | The date of the DPS email asking for your evidence. | The date the case moved to resolution, when mydeposits asked both sides to confirm their evidence. | The date mydeposits asked both sides to finalise their evidence. |
| Written statement | No limit published | No limit published | 1,000 characters | No limit published | No limit published | No limit published |
| Largest file | 20MB | 20MB | 40MB | No limit published | 20MB | 20MB (not yet confirmed by the scheme) |
| File types | No list published (video: mpg, mpeg, mpe, mov, avi, mp4, wmv) | No list published (video: mpg, mpeg, mpe, mov, avi, mp4, wmv) | pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf, xls, xlsx, csv, jpg, png, gif, asf, wmv, avi, mpg, mov, mp4 | No list published | No list published | No list published |
Your deposit protection certificate, and the information you gave the tenant, name the scheme and say whether it is custodial (the scheme holds the money) or insured (you or your agent hold it).
No. It is free and optional, but both sides must agree to use it. Otherwise the dispute goes to court, or you settle between you.
No. They explain how the schemes’ own rules and guidance work, with links to them, and are not legal advice. Only the scheme’s adjudicator decides a dispute.
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