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More than 6,000 tenancy deposit dispute cases withdrawn before arbitration
Original Author: Rosalind Renshaw
Over 6,000 tenancy deposit disputes were filed with schemes and then withdrawn last year.
The figure includes cases where tenants have raised a dispute, but the scheme concerned has been unable to contact them for further information.
It also includes cases where the parties have reached agreement before going to arbitration; where cases are going to court instead; and where one of the parties has not submitted evidence within the required timescale.
The latest figure, of 6,267 withdrawn cases, shows a steadily rising trend, and has been revealed as the result of a written question tabled by Labour MP Richard Burden, who represents Birmingham Northfield.
Housing minister Brandon Lewis replied: “The number of disputed cases filed but withdrawn by each of the three authorised tenancy deposit schemes in the last five years is set out in the tables below.”
Number of cases withdrawn before adjudication by approved scheme
MyDeposits (1)
2010/11 177
2011/12 1,012
2012/13 1,324
2013/14 1,626
2014/15 1,728
Deposit Protection Service (3)
2011 1,049 (4)
2012 1,945
2013 1,888
2014 2,489
2015 2,464
The Dispute Service
2011 832
2012 1,186
2013 1,810
2014 2,140
2015 2,075
The housing minister said in his reply: “The upward trend in the number of cases withdrawn before adjudication is a result of the successful use of mediation services by the schemes before the formal adjudication process begins and the detailed guidance and advice provided to both landlords and tenants by the schemes to help avoid disputes.”
