Deposit Dispute Evidence: What Adjudicators Look For (UK)
Every government-approved deposit scheme offers a free dispute service. An independent adjudicator decides based only on the evidence both sides upload. No evidence, no case.
The evidence that matters most
- Check-in inventory – the condition at the start, ideally agreed by the tenant
- Check-out report – the condition at the end, compared item by item
- Dated photos – before and after, from the same angle
- The tenancy agreement – what each side agreed to
- Invoices and quotes – for any cost claimed
- Messages – reports of repairs, and replies about the inventory
What makes photos convincing
- They clearly show when they were taken
- They show the same spot before and after
- They haven't been edited
- They're linked to a written report
Common mistakes
- Photos with no date, or taken weeks after moving in
- Claiming "new for old" without apportioning for age
- Claiming for fair wear and tear
- Uploading hundreds of unsorted photos
A verifiable record
Move-In Shield creates organised before-and-after reports with dated photos. Each PDF has a receipt number and QR code, so the adjudicator can check at sortedtemplates.co.uk/verify that it hasn't been changed – and see if the other party agreed to it. Learn how it works.
Questions
*General information, not legal advice.*
Who decides a deposit dispute?
An independent adjudicator from the deposit protection scheme, using the written evidence both sides provide.
Is the dispute service free?
Yes. The government-approved deposit schemes provide their dispute resolution service free of charge.
Can I use phone photos as evidence?
Yes. They're much stronger when they're clearly dated, taken from the same spot at check-in and check-out, and shared with the other side at the time.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always check the official GOV.UK guidance before you act.