TDS bring back external adjudicators to cut dispute time

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme has brought back some of its external adjudicators in order to improve turnaround times for disputes.

It axed about 70 of them last year during its financial crisis, but has now brought back a ‘small’ number.

As a result of this and other measures, over 80% of disputes are now being resolved within four weeks.

In May, 1,123 disputes were resolved, and 1,582 had been resolved by the time of the June board meeting last week.

The successful speed-up in dispute resolution comes from new methods that ensure the way cases are examined is proportionate to their complexity and value, instead of using the one-size-fits-all methods of before. 

“This has led directly to the improvement in the quality and quantity of adjudication and has helped with monitoring the consistency of our decision making,” said Michael Morgan, acting head of adjudication at TDS.

The new methods and results will be subject to audit in the autumn, when decisions about a new chief executive and the setting up of a user group should be finalised.

TDS chairman Martin Partington said: “I think the first months of this financial year have been very productive and auger well for cost effectiveness, user satisfaction and the future of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.”