Cleaning disputes have once again dominated the top spot in tenancy deposit claims, according to data from The Deposit Protection Service (DPS), with 29.37% of all disputes related to cleaning issues in 2025 - the fifth consecutive year this issue has taken the lead.
Property damage and rent arrears were the next most common causes of dispute, accounting for 18.42% and 16.45% respectively. These figures paint a clear picture of the areas where landlords and tenants are most frequently at odds, against the backdrop of significant regulatory changes and market pressures affecting both sides.
A five-year analysis by the DPS reveals an upward trend in cleaning-related disputes, increasing from 24.57% in 2021 to nearly 30% in 2025. Meanwhile, claims for redecoration rose by 3.4 percentage points over the same period to reach 10.88%, while damage claims also grew from 14.60% to 18.42%. In contrast, disputes over rent arrears decreased slightly, moving from 17.71% to 16.45%.
Matt Trevett, managing director at The DPS, believes the stability of these dispute reasons points to fundamental communication gaps between landlords and tenants at the end of a tenancy. While only around 5% of protected deposits lead to formal disputes, improved clarity on property condition expectations could help reduce cases requiring resolution.
Under existing regulations, landlords can deduct reasonable costs from a tenant's deposit for legitimate expenses incurred during the tenancy. The consistency of these disputes suggests that clearer guidance and mutual understanding could foster smoother tenancy transitions, particularly in areas where deposits often represent a significant sum for tenants.
The broader context includes a rental market facing ongoing affordability challenges and legislative changes, such as the Renters (Reform) Bill making its way through Parliament. While this bill primarily focuses on strengthening tenant rights, the enduring prevalence of cleaning disputes highlights an area where clearer guidance could make a significant difference.