How do I raise a dispute?
The dispute process should be completed online. You can begin a dispute after the tenancy has lawfully ended.
The way to start a dispute depends on whether the deposit is protected with the custodial or insured scheme.
Custodial Scheme
As we hold the deposit on a custodial protection, a party can raise a repayment request advising us how they wish the deposit to be released.
If one party responds disagreeing with the other party's repayment request, we will expect parties to negotiate and try to reach agreement. During this period, you can still update the repayment request which will allow us to release the agreed parts of the deposit before referring your case to dispute resolution.
If you don't reach agreement within the 10 working days of negotiation, the parties will be invited to upload evidence online with an explanation of the case for an impartial adjudicator to examine. You have a further 10 working days to do this and once both parties have uploaded their evidence, the case will be reviewed before this is sent to an adjudicator will decide how the deposit is to be divided.
Insured Scheme
The deposit on an insured protection is held by the letting agent/landlord. To notify us of a potential dispute, log onto your account via our website, and go to the 'My Options' page. Select your deposit and click 'raise a dispute'.
Once you have entered details of how you think the deposit should be divided, we will notify the deposit holder and invite them to upload their evidence online within 10 working days.
They will also have to transfer the disputed money to TDS Northern Ireland. Once both parties have uploaded their evidence the case will be reviewed before this is sent to an adjudicator will decide how the deposit is to be divided.