Tenant SOS Support — RRA 2026 aware

Challenge unfair deposit deductions with an evidence-led dispute file

Deposit Dispute Support helps tenants organise the facts, prepare a clear challenge and present evidence properly through the relevant tenancy deposit scheme process.

Start Deposit Support How It Works
DPS, TDS and MyDeposits aware
Evidence and timeline focused
No misleading outcome promises
Cleaning deductions
Damage claims
Missing inventory
Rent or bill deductions
Deposit protection checks
Renters' Rights Act 2026

Deposit disputes still depend on clear records and protected-deposit evidence

The rental law landscape changed from 1 May 2026, with most existing assured shorthold tenancies becoming assured periodic tenancies. Deposit protection, prescribed information and evidence records remain central when deductions are disputed.

For tenants, the practical point is simple: before accepting a deduction, check the protection record, prescribed information, inventory, check-out report, invoices and landlord communications. If the deposit was not protected, the issue may need a different route from ordinary scheme adjudication.

Deposit dispute readiness RRA aware
  • ✓ Check which scheme protects the deposit and whether details were provided within 30 days.
  • ✓ Compare the check-in inventory against the check-out report and proposed deductions.
  • → Ask for invoices, quotes or evidence supporting cleaning, repairs or replacement costs.
  • ! Flag non-protection or missing prescribed information as a possible separate legal issue.
  • → Prepare a clear timeline before using the scheme dispute process.
Deposit caps remain important: most tenancy deposits are capped at 5 weeks’ rent where annual rent is below £50,000, or 6 weeks’ rent for annual rent between £50,000 and £100,000.
Quick Case Check

What type of deposit issue are you dealing with?

Select the closest issue and the guidance panel will update with the likely evidence focus and next step.

Common Disputes

The deductions tenants most often need to challenge

A strong deposit dispute is calm, structured and evidence-led. The aim is to show what happened, what condition the property was in, and why the deduction is unsupported or excessive.

🧽

Excessive cleaning

Challenge cleaning deductions where the property was left to a reasonable standard or the cost is not evidenced.

🔨

Damage or wear and tear

Separate genuine damage from age, ordinary use, depreciation, poor quality or pre-existing condition.

📷

Poor check-out evidence

Challenge claims where photos, dates, rooms, items or inspection records are unclear or incomplete.

📋

Missing inventory

Without a reliable check-in record, the landlord may struggle to prove the starting condition.

🧾

Inflated invoices

Test whether the amount is supported by a real invoice, quote, receipt or clear evidence of actual loss.

💷

Rent or bill deductions

Check the calculation, payment records, bills, dates and whether the deduction is properly evidenced.

🔐

Protection concerns

If the deposit was not protected or prescribed information is missing, it may be more than a scheme dispute.

⏱️

Delayed return

If the landlord does not engage, the relevant scheme may have a process to help raise a dispute or release funds.

How It Works

From unclear deductions to a structured dispute file

This service helps tenants move from scattered evidence and frustration to a clear, organised and scheme-ready case summary.

1

Review the deductions

Identify exactly what the landlord is claiming and whether each deduction is explained, evidenced and priced.

2

Build the timeline

Organise tenancy start, check-in, repair reports, check-out, deduction notice and communications.

3

Prepare the evidence

Pull together the tenancy documents, photos, inventory, report, invoices, messages and scheme records.

4

Draft the challenge

Prepare a clear response explaining which deductions are disputed and why the evidence does not support them.

5

Submit or escalate

Use the relevant scheme route where appropriate, or seek legal support if protection or court issues arise.

What’s Included

Practical support for a clearer deposit challenge

The service focuses on evidence preparation, dispute structure, written response and escalation awareness.

✉️

Custom dispute letter framework

A structured letter framework tailored around the deductions being challenged and the evidence available.

🎯

Evidence strategy guide

A practical checklist showing what to gather, how to organise it and how to keep the case focused.

⚖️

Scheme submission guidance

Guidance on preparing a clear dispute submission where DPS, TDS or MyDeposits is the appropriate route.

🔐

Protection breach spotting

A review point to flag where the issue appears to involve non-protection or missing prescribed information.

📁

Dispute readiness file

A simple structure for timeline, photos, tenancy documents, inventory, messages and deduction schedule.

🤝

Escalation signposting

If the issue is not suitable for scheme-only resolution, we signpost the next support pathway.

Evidence Builder

Build the evidence pack an adjudicator can follow

Deposit disputes are document-led. Use the tabs below to see what evidence normally matters for each part of the case.

Evidence focus

Inventory and check-in evidence

The inventory is often the starting point. It helps show what condition the property, fixtures, fittings and cleanliness were in at the start of the tenancy.

Signed inventory Whether both parties accepted the check-in record.
Start-date photos Visual proof of condition and any pre-existing issues.
Condition notes Details of wear, marks, stains, damage or missing items.
Tenant comments Any corrections or objections raised at move-in.
Scheme Route

Scheme dispute or separate legal issue?

Most ordinary deduction disputes should be handled through the relevant tenancy deposit scheme where the deposit is protected. Non-protection or missing prescribed information may need a separate route.

🛡️

Protected deposit dispute

Use the scheme dispute process where the deposit is protected and the disagreement is about how much should be returned.

🔎

Unknown protection status

Check all approved schemes, ask for prescribed information and keep a written record of your requests.

🏛️

Possible breach or court route

If the deposit was not protected properly, consider legal advice before deciding whether court action is appropriate.

Important: deposit scheme adjudication is usually focused on the money held in the scheme and the evidence about deductions. Deposit protection penalties, harassment, disrepair, unlawful eviction or wider damages may require separate legal support.

Ready to challenge the deduction properly?

Bring your deduction schedule, tenancy documents, photos, inventory and messages together into a clearer dispute file.

Start Deposit Support Tenant Support Hub
FAQ

Deposit dispute questions, answered clearly

These answers are general information only. The right route depends on your scheme, tenancy facts, evidence and whether there are legal issues beyond the scheme dispute.

No. No responsible service should guarantee a deposit adjudication outcome. TLA can help you organise the facts, prepare a clearer challenge and improve the quality of your evidence pack, but the final decision depends on the scheme, the landlord’s evidence and the facts of the case.
If the deposit was not protected or prescribed information was not provided, this may be a separate legal issue. A normal deduction dispute and a deposit protection breach claim are not the same thing. You may need legal support before deciding whether to write to the landlord, use a scheme route or consider county court action.
The support is designed around the common deposit scheme dispute process used by DPS, TDS and MyDeposits. You should always check which scheme is actually holding your deposit and follow that scheme’s own process and deadlines.
Useful evidence often includes the tenancy agreement, deposit certificate, prescribed information, check-in inventory, check-out report, photos, videos, repair reports, cleaning receipts, invoices, emails, messages and any deduction schedule.
Scheme adjudication decisions are generally binding for the amount being adjudicated through the scheme process. Some wider claims may sit outside the scheme process, so get legal advice if the issue is wider than the deposit sum itself.
This page is tenant-facing. Landlords should use landlord deposit templates, deduction schedules, inventory tools and compliance records to prepare a fair and evidence-led deposit return process.
Legal sensitivity note: this page provides information and dispute preparation support. It does not provide a legal determination, regulated legal advice or a guarantee of recovery. Where there is possible deposit non-protection, court action, harassment, unlawful eviction, disrepair or wider damages, tenants should consider appropriate legal advice.