While 99.4 percent of private tenants’ rent deposits are returned without problems at the end of the lease period, there has been a marked shift in the outcome of disputes in the remaining cases, with landlords being more successful with claims than a year ago.

An analysis of the dispute resolution scheme run by tenancy deposit protection provider mydeposits.co.uk shows that landlords are currently being awarded part or all of disputed amounts in 51 percent of cases, with 43 percent split with the tenant and eight percent awarded in full to the landlord.

“The more equitable balance between tenant and landlord has come about because landlords have improved the quality of the evidence they are providing to substantiate claims,” said Eddie Hooker, chief executive of mydeposits.co.uk.

“The law starts with the principle that the money is the tenant’s. It’s up to the landlord to justify withholding all or part of a deposit.”

mydeposits.co.uk protects over 400,000 tenants’ deposits valued at over £360m. Since tenancy deposit protection became law in April 2007 the scheme has received about 19,000 calls from tenants about possible complaints, of which around 11,000 have been settled amicably between landlord and tenant without the need for referral of a dispute to formal adjudication.

• A management buy-out has taken place at the London based company Findlay Property. Directors Simon McDonnell, John Walsh and Jean-Paul Van Cauwelaert now own 100 percent of the company after buying the remaining shares, for an undisclosed figure.

Founded in 2003, Findlay Property specialises in directly supporting landlords through a range of services incorporating lettings, property management, sourcing of buy to let properties and refurbishment services.

Director Simon McDonnell said: “The company aims to expand the property management side of the business. I am very happy that we have completed the purchase and I am genuinely excited at the prospects for the coming year.

“Despite the doom and gloom pervading many quarters, we are very confident that the central London market will weather the storm and our clients will come out the other side smiling.”