Information about Tenancy Deposit disputes and the types of evidence an Adjudicator will be looking for can be found in the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) guide Tenancy Deposits, Disputes and Damages and DPS A brief overview of Deposit protection
The evidence we recommend you compile in support of a claim for compensation for cleaning or damage is as follows:
Item missing or damaged beyond repair or unusable due to damage
- Proof of purchase for item – showing date and cost [receipt, settled invoice]
- Proof item was supplied for the tenancy and not damaged at the time of supply [Inventory and Schedule of Condition Report signed by the tenant (and dated), Check-In Report signed by the tenant (and dated), photographs of the item signed by the tenant (and dated)]
- Proof item was missing or damaged beyond repair at the end of the tenancy [Check-Out Report signed by the tenant (and dated), photographs of the item signed by the tenant (and dated)]
- Cost of replacing item [receipt, settled invoice, estimate, quotation, extract from retailer’s catalogue]
- Copy of Tenancy Agreement signed by the tenant highlighting relevant conditions
For consumables (light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, fuses, batteries, grease filters etc.) provide 2-5 from the above only.
Damage
- Proof of the condition of the item at the time of supply/start of tenancy [Inventory and Schedule of Condition Report signed by the tenant (and dated), photographs of the item signed by the tenant (and dated)]
- Proof item was damaged at the end of the tenancy [Check-Out Report signed by the tenant (and dated), photographs of the item signed by the tenant (and dated)]
- Justification of reasonable compensation for the damage [scale of charges for compensation for the loss in the value of the item provided to the tenant at the start of the tenancy]
- Copy of Tenancy Agreement signed by the tenant highlighting relevant conditions
Cleaning
- Proof of the condition at the start of the tenancy [receipt or settled invoice for professional cleaning services, Inventory and Schedule of Condition Report signed by the tenant (and dated), photographs of the item signed by the tenant (and dated)]
- Proof of the condition at the end of the tenancy [Check-Out Report signed by the tenant (and dated), photographs of the item signed by the tenant (and dated)]
- Cost of cleaning item [estimate, quotation, receipt, settled invoice]
- Copy of Tenancy Agreement signed by the tenant highlighting relevant conditions
Landlord’s cannot reasonably claim compensation for the following:
- Where the compensation would put them in a better position at the end of the tenancy than at the start (i.e. no entitlement to betterment) e.g. brand-new carpet to replace old carpet provided at the start of the tenancy;
- For fair wear and tear for which a tenant pays rent;
- For the landlord’s time or any expenses the landlord incurs e.g. fuel, cost of quotations charged by contractor.
When submitting a claim for compensation, consider the useful life expectancy of decorations, carpets and white goods:
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