Landlords Overview
Many landlords in the private sector receive a deposit against possible non-payment of rent or damage to property. When a tenancy comes to an end, there is usually no disagreement about the return of the deposit. But sometimes there is, and this can cause much hardship and inconvenience to both landlord and tenant.
The Housing Act 2004 (Chapter 4, sections 212-5; & Schedule 10) made provision for both the protection of tenancy deposits and the resolution of disputes over their return. The Dispute Service has been awarded a contract by the Government to run one such scheme: The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS).
The legislation came into effect on 6 April 2007. All deposits taken for Assured Shorthold Tenancies after that date must be covered by a tenancy deposit protection scheme
What is the TDS tenancy certificate code?
The tenancy code is a unique code we use to identity your tenancy. When your tenant moved into the property or signed their tenancy agreement they should have been given a copy of their TDS tenancy certificate with this code on it.
The tenancy code typically looks something like this: phsQtY6
If you don't have the , please contact the agent who let the property for you.
If you let the property yourself – i.e. without an agent – and you do not have the UID please contact TDS.
Guide to Tenancy Deposit, Disputes and Damages
Since the introduction of tenancy deposit protection legislation in 2007, millions of deposits totalling billions of pounds have been protected via the three government approved deposit protection schemes. Each scheme has worked hard to enhance and augment the service it provides to tenants, letting agents and landlords, helping to meet the original aim of the legislation: to raise the standards in the letting industry. These guidelines for dispute resolution are yet another milestone along that path - providing a transparent and consistent approach to dispute resolution by all three schemes, for the benefit of everyone in the private rented sector.
All three deposit protection providers have signed up to the guidelines in this document, and will continue to operate their dispute resolution services using these principles. They will be reviewed and updated as necessary, to reflect current methodology and best practice.
