Dispute Resolution service extends remit to cover more rental issues

A resolution service set up last summer for landlords is extending its remit to cover a much wider range of disputes.

TDS Resolutions is an association between the Dispute Service and the National Residential Landlords Association, and was launched primarily to cover rent arrears issues and to seek rent reduction plans between landlords and tenants. 

But now it’s extending to cover property standards, repairs, entry rights, anti-social activity and breaches of tenancy terms, in addition to arrears-related issues.

This extended offering will be a conciliation/mediation service, meaning experienced dispute resolution staff employed by TDS Resolution will play an active role in trying to resolve landlord-tenant disputes. 

The extended service will be free of charge and accept referrals from tenants as well as landlords. The move to a free service comes in the continuing COVID-19 pandemic which has left both landlords and tenants in difficult financial circumstances, says the service.

Chief executive Steve Harriott adds: “TDS Resolution has made great strides since its launch in helping parties reach suitable rent arrears repayment plans. The Dispute Service has always been committed to raising standards in the private rented sector and making peoples’ lives easier. The extension of the service, to cover a wider range of landlord and tenant disputes, is an important step in achieving our goal.”

And Ben Beadle, NRLA chief executive, comments: “We welcome the introduction of this pilot, which the NRLA believes can go a long way towards putting conciliation firmly at the heart of landlord-tenant relationship. 

“Conciliation is a key element of the NRLA’s Renters’ Reform Bill proposals and it is our view that with the Renters’ Reform Bill rapidly approaching there is a pressing need for a more efficient system, which provides easy, convenient access to resolving disputes for landlords and tenants alike.”

Landlords can get more information here.

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