Two reports suggest tenancy disputes of differing kinds are on the increase.
The firm LegalforLandlords says the number of tenancy disputes each year in England and Wales is increasing at an average 6% annually, with many landlords facing costs of more than £5,000 per dispute.
The pace of growth has accelerated sharply in recent years.
In 2023, disputes increased by 17.1%, followed by a 15.4% rise in 2024 and a further 11.1% increase in 2025, when the total number of disputes reached an estimated 46,950.
While this represents just 1% of the nation’s total number of deposits under protection – which currently stands at just over 4.7m – the firm’s new survey of property professionals claims 35% of respondents have experienced a tenancy dispute.
And 16% sayi they have dealt with multiple disputes.
Among those who have faced disputes, the most common cause is rent arrears (21%), followed by property damage (16%) and end-of-tenancy property condition (16%). A further 14% report having dealt with disputes relating to anti-social tenant behaviour.
The duration of disputes also presents a challenge.
While 32% of respondents say disputes typically last between one and three months, 40% report disputes lasting more than three months, and over a quarter (26%) say they extend beyond six months.
Court action is the most common route to resolution, cited by 20% of respondents. This is followed by tenants leaving the property before the dispute is resolved (19%), and intervention by a deposit scheme (18%).
Tenancy disputes can also be costly. Over a third of professionals (36%) say disputes typically cost them between £1,000 – £5,000. However, one in five (21%) report costs of above £5,000, while one in ten (9%) say disputes have cost them more than £10,000.
Meanwhile a separate report – by The Property Ombudsman (TPO) – shows a significant rise in complaints about letting agents.
And TPO firmly states that this is because of the impending Renters Rights Act.
In the four months between November 2025 and February 2026, TPO received 58% more complaints than in the same period a year earlier.
The organisation puts the rise down to increased consumer awareness of tenant rights across the board.
Publishing its 2025 annual report, the Ombudsman reveals it has moved quickly to strengthen how it handles enquiries and disputes, including earlier professional judgement at triage, clearer evidence gathering and stronger quality assurance.
These measures meant it resolved 54% more cases in 2025 than in 2024, helping to reduce waiting times.
This article is taken from Landlord Today