Cleaning has once again emerged as the primary cause of disagreements over tenancy deposits in the UK, marking the fifth consecutive year it has held the top spot. New figures released by The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) reveal that cleaning-related issues were responsible for 29.37% of all deposit claims processed in 2025.
The data highlights a consistent area of contention between tenants and landlords at the end of a tenancy. Following cleaning, property damage was the second most common reason for a deposit claim, accounting for 18.42% of cases. Rent arrears constituted the third most frequent cause of dispute, representing 16.45% of claims.
Under current tenancy deposit regulations, landlords are permitted to seek deductions from a tenant’s deposit to cover reasonable costs incurred during the rental period. The DPS, which operates an impartial dispute resolution service, noted that while the overall reasons for deductions have remained largely consistent over the past five years, there has been a noticeable shift in certain categories.
One such shift is the increasing prevalence of disputes concerning redecoration. The DPS figures indicate that claims related to redecoration have risen by 3.4 percentage points since 2021, suggesting a growing area of disagreement between parties when a tenancy concludes. This trend could reflect differing expectations regarding wear and tear versus damage requiring refurbishment.
Matt Trevett, managing director at The DPS, emphasised the importance of clear communication between landlords and tenants. He encouraged tenants to thoroughly understand their obligations when vacating a property and urged landlords to clearly outline their expectations at the end of a tenancy. Despite these disputes, Trevett noted that less than 5% of all deposits protected by The DPS ultimately result in a formal dispute, with their free-to-use resolution service aiming to ensure fair settlements when agreements cannot be reached.