‘Lack of evidence’ gives tenants advantage in disputes

A high volume of tenants are continuing to win deposit scheme disputes due to a lack of evidence, according to Imfuna Let, which has commented on the issue in light of statistics from the Tenant Deposit Scheme Annual Review 2014. According to the Review, since the tenant deposit schemes initiative came into force in 2007, tenants have won 100 per cent of a deposit more often than landlords. The figures reveal that renters have received the full deposit in 20.25 per cent of cases, compared to 18.21 per cent for landlords. Furthermore, the dispute amounts have leapt from £736 in 2010-2011 to £860 in 2013-2014. Cleaning remains the most common cause of dispute, appearing in 53 per cent of all cases. This is followed by damage (46 per cent), redecoration (29 per cent), arrears (16 per cent) and gardening (14 per cent). “Despite the best efforts of the deposit schemes, landlords and agents are not being awarded 100 per cent of the deposit as often as tenants,” said JaxKneppers, Founder and CEO of Imfuna Let. “It is worth asking ourselves why landlords have failed to improve their success rate at disputes over the last few years? One obvious reason is…

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