Glossary

ADR Procedure

An independent service that acts as an alternative to going to court, aiming to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants through evidence-based adjudication.

Adjudication

An evidence-based decision making process after which a decision is made as to how a dispute should be resolved.

Adjudicator

An independent, impartial and qualified expert appointed by The DPS to adjudicate and provide a legal decision following a dispute.

Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST)

The usual form of letting for a private tenant renting from a private landlord, in which a tenancy began on or after 15 January 1989, the annual rent does not exceed £25,000 and the house or flat is let as separate accommodation and is the tenant's main home.

Change of Landlord/Agent Form

A form (completed by the landlord) notifying The DPS that there has been a change of landlord or agent.

Contact Centre

The DPS’ dedicated call centre which can be contacted on 0844 4727 000.

Custodial Tenancy Deposit Scheme

The scheme established under the Housing Act 2004 under which a deposit relating landlords, tenants or a relevant party has been deposited with The DPS.

The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS)

The service provided by Computershare Investor Services PLC, a company registered in England & Wales, under company number 3498808 and whose registered office is at The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS13 8AE. The DPS is provided on behalf of Communities and Local Government (CLG).

Deposit

Any single amount of money paid by the tenant or a third party to the landlord under the tenancy agreement. The deposit acts as security against the performance of the tenant’s obligations under the tenancy agreement, the discharge of any liabilities, any damage to the property and/or non-payment of rent during the tenancy.

Deposit ID

The unique identifying reference number allocated to each deposit following the successful submission of it to The DPS by the landlord.

Deposit Submission Form

The form to be completed by the landlord in accordance with The DPS’ terms and conditions, submitted to The DPS with a payment equalling the amount of the deposit.

Dispute

A dispute between the landlord and tenant over how much of the deposit, if any, held by The DPS under the Custodial Tenancy Deposit Scheme, should be returned to the tenant at the end of the tenancy.

Dispute Papers

The evidence submitted by both parties in the event of a dispute.

Interest

The interest which will be paid by The DPS on all deposits held by it, at the rate equivalent to the base rate of the Bank of England less 2.32% (in accordance with Statutory Instrument 2007 No. 798, The Housing (Tenancy Deposits) (Specified Interest Rate) Order 2007).

Joint Repayment Form

A form to be completed by both the landlord and tenant, on paper or online:

(i) requesting that all or part of the deposit be repaid in accordance with the agreed instructions it contains.

AND/OR

(ii) notifying The DPS that there is a dispute over the repayment of all or part of the deposit, and requesting that the dispute be referred to adjudication in accordance with the terms and conditions, and also confirming that landlord and tenant will be bound by the decision of the adjudicator.

Joint Tenancy

A tenancy in which there is more than one tenant.

Landlord

A person who rents or leases a premises he/she owns to another party.

Landlord’s Evidence Form

The standard form completed by the landlord containing evidence in support of a dispute.

Landlord ID

The unique identifying reference number allocated to the landlord by The DPS following their registration with the service.

Landlord’s Repayment ID

The identifying number issued by The DPS to the landlord, which is unique to the landlord and the deposit to which it relates. The Landlord’s Repayment ID is required from the landlord when reclaiming the deposit.

Lead Tenant

(i) in the case of joint tenants, one of their number who has been nominatedto act on their behalf

(ii) where there is a third party, the person nominated to act on behalf of the tenant(s) and the third party.

Letting Agent

The individual or company who lets or manages property on behalf of the landlord.

Prescribed Information

Information about the deposit that is required by the The Housing (Tenancy Deposits) (Prescribed Information) Order 2007 to be advised to the Tenant within 14 days of the Agent or Landlord taking the deposit.

Single Claim

A claim by a party for the repayment of all or part of the deposit when the other party is uncontactable/not responding to correspondence.

Statutory Declaration

A legal document defined under the law of certain Commonwealth nations. Statutory Declarations are used to allow a person to affirm something to be true for the purposes of satisfying a legal requirement or regulation when no other evidence is available. A Statutory Declaration is completed by either the landlord or tenant claiming repayment of all or part of the deposit in accordance with a Single Claim Process.

Statutory Declaration Notice

A notice to be served by The DPS to the Other Party following the receipt of a Statutory Declaration.

Tenancy

An Assured Shorthold Tenancy of a property which is part of the Custodial Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

Tenant

A person who has a right of occupation under a residential tenancy agreement and exchanges rent payments for accommodation.

Tenant’s Evidence Form

The standard form completed by the tenant containing evidence in response to the Landlord’s Evidence Form.

Tenant’s Repayment ID

The identifying number issued by The DPS to the tenant which is unique to the tenant and deposit to which it relates. The Tenant’s Repayment ID is required from the tenant in order for them to claim repayment of the deposit.

Third Party

A person who has paid a tenancy deposit to a landlord on behalf of a tenant and who is a relevant person for the purposes of Sections 212 to 215 of the Housing Act 2004.