Adjudication

Adjudication in the private rented sector is a formal decision-making process used to resolve certain housing disputes without going to court. In England and Wales it most commonly refers to the process used by tenancy deposit protection schemes when landlord and tenant disagree about deductions from a protected deposit at the end of a tenancy.

Either party can usually ask the scheme to adjudicate if they cannot reach agreement. Both sides are invited to submit evidence, such as the tenancy agreement, check-in and check-out reports, rent statements, photos, contractor quotes and copies of relevant messages. An independent adjudicator then reviews the paperwork and issues a written decision, explaining how the deposit should be allocated. That decision is binding on the scheme and the deposit is repaid in line with it.

Adjudication is designed to be free or low-cost, paper-based and relatively quick, with no need for legal representation. It does not usually decide wider issues such as disrepair, harassment or unlawful eviction, which may still require court or tribunal action.