Welcome...
The Dispute Service is a not for profit company providing a range of services across the UK.
Click the services below to learn more about our solutions.
Dispute Resolution
Deposit Disputes
We provide a free dispute resolution service for tenancy deposit disputes arising from protected deposits with one of our tenancy deposit protection schemes. Through our software solution and conciliation activities we aim to resolve most disputes by agreement but where this is not possible our adjudicators will make a binding decision on how the deposit should be split between the landlord and the tenant, based on the evidence that has been submitted to them to consider.
New Homes Ombudsman Service
The Dispute Service has been commissioned by the New Homes Quality Board to operate the new Homes Ombudsman Service. This service, subject to validation by the Ombudsman Association, is planned to be operational early in 2022 and will resolve disputes between homebuyers and developers of new homes. The Ombudsman will be able to consider complaints about breaches of the new Homes Quality Code up to two years from the time the new home was purchased.
Tenancy Deposit Protection
Charitable Activities
TDS Charitable Foundation
This is a charity supported by TDS which aims to raise standards in the private rented sector. Formed in 2014 it provides grants to a range of organisations.
SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust
This charity is supported and funded by SafeDeposits and like the sister charity in England it aims to raise standards in the Scottish private rented sector.
Partnerships
New Homes Quality Board
We are working closely with the New Homes Quality Board [NHQB] to establish the New Homes Ombudsman Service. The NHQB is developing the New Homes Quality Code which will set out the standards to which its Registered Developers need to comply. The New Homes Ombudsman Service will enable homebuyers to complain to the Ombudsman about breaches of the New Homes Quality Code.
The New Homes Ombudsman service is subject to validation by the Ombudsman Association and is expected to launch in 2022.
Inventory Solutions
The Dispute Service has long recognised the importance of an accurate and comprehensive inventory to minimise the number of tenancy deposit disputes. It is also very important that tenants are able to review and comment on the inventory and for these comments to be recorded.
We are now working closely with Inventory Hive an industry leading provider of inventory software, to ensure that inventory clerks, letting agents and landlords have access to an easy to use software solution that, if used properly, should reduce tenancy deposit disputes.
End of Tenancy Solutions
We encourage landlords and lettings agents to stay in touch with tenants throughout the end of the tenancy period; reminding tenants to pay the last month’s rent, to clean the property, repair any damage and sort out the garden.
That’s why we are working closely with The Depositary. This innovative software application helps landlords and lettings agents to better manage the end of tenancy process. We’ve integrated some of The Depositary’s process into our tenancy deposit software, as we know that this solution will lead to fewer disputes for us to handle.
Complylex Platform
The Dispute Service recognises that property law can be difficult to understand, even for property professionals. This is why we are proud to be working in partnership with Complylex, the online compliance-based platform for estate and letting agents. Together, both organisations are committed to helping property professionals navigate complex industry legislation and raise standards in the Private Rented Sector.