11/06/2026
When tenants and landlords cannot agree on how a deposit should be returned, the next step is rarely court. It is ADR.
ADR stands for Alternative Dispute Resolution. It is a free service offered by every government approved tenancy deposit scheme, designed to handle exactly this kind of disagreement.
What it actually looks like in practice. An impartial adjudicator, trained in housing law, reviews the evidence from both sides. They do not visit the property. They do not speak to either party. The decision is made entirely on the written evidence provided, and it is binding.
A few things worth knowing. Both parties must agree to use the service. You do not need a solicitor. The process is faster and less stressful than court. And because the decision is final, both sides go in knowing the outcome will stand.
Our full guide covers how it works, when to use it, and how to prepare.
Read it here: https://bit.ly/3OMaVju