By Chris Callear, Director of Membership
Reading time: 4 minutes
I used to think deposit schemes leaned toward tenants and didn’t reflect real-world costs. After taking a TDS adjudication course, I’ve genuinely changed my view — and I think other inventory clerks should take a closer look too.
Let’s Be Honest…
I’ve known about the TDS for years — mainly through my property management background — but since focusing more on inventory work, I’ve found myself both closer to their world and oddly further from it.
If I’m honest, I had a few preconceptions. I always assumed deposit schemes were biased toward tenants, didn’t factor in regional cost variations, and weren’t that connected to the work we clerks do day in, day out. I think many of us have felt that way at some point.
But I’ve also had a lot of experience dealing with deposit disputes — and have always wanted to get closer to the source. I’ve wanted to sit down with someone from a scheme and say, “Is what I’m doing good enough? What would you change?” That curiosity, plus the regular questions I get from clients about what’s reasonable or claimable, made me decide to take the plunge.
The Course
I recently attended the TDS Adjudication Workshop and it was brilliant. Seriously — it was one of the most useful bits of CPD I’ve done.
The presenters were sharp, down-to-earth, and knew their stuff inside out. The session covered:
- Fair wear and tear
- Betterment and depreciation
- Why deposit clauses matter
- HMO complexities
- Regional pricing differences
- What actually tips the scale in disputes
And we didn’t go easy on them! We threw all kinds of curveballs their way — from HMO staggered move-outs to when poor workmanship counts as a defect. They answered everything clearly and practically, and with humour too.
It cost £60 and delivered far more value than I expected. It gave me an inside view of how adjudicators think — and that’s gold if you’re writing reports that end up in front of them.
Why It Matters for Clerks
As inventory clerks, we write reports that are often used to make financial and legal decisions — but we rarely get to see what happens after the fact. Adjudicators, on the other hand, see thousands of reports a year. They know what’s clear, persuasive, and fair — and what’s not.
Understanding how they think helps us:
- Write better, more defensible reports
- Set more realistic expectations for landlords and agents
- Avoid unnecessary disputes
It’s not just about CPD — it’s about producing stronger, sharper work that serves everyone better.
Raising the Bar – AIIC Standards Update
At the AIIC, we’re not just encouraging learning — we’re rebuilding our standards from the ground up.
Our Director, Joe Greenway, has been leading a full review and update of our reporting standards, working with industry stakeholders to ensure that our members’ reports are:
- Legally robust
- Clear and accessible for all users
- Fit for modern use — including digital and photographic formats
Joe’s been working hard to strike the right balance between legal integrity and day-to-day usability — a task that’s far from easy. But it’s one we believe is essential if we want to futureproof the AIIC and support our members in delivering best-in-class reports.
After all, our reports aren’t just read by one person. They’re used by:
- Primary users: landlords, letting agents, and property managers
- Secondary users: adjudicators and, sometimes, even courts
So they need to work for a wide range of readers — from seasoned professionals to first-time landlords — and still stand up under legal scrutiny.
This is something I’m personally really excited about.
More Than Just Adjudication
The TDS Academy offers more than just this one workshop. They’ve got a full programme that includes:
- Pre-tenancy and inventory best practice
- End-of-tenancy processes
- Dispute resolution
- Foundation and advanced adjudication training
- Group and in-house sessions
You can check out the full offering here:
👉 TDS Academy Courses
Some courses even lead to accreditation within their own framework. While we’re working on our own CPD pathways at the AIIC, I think it’s brilliant to see TDS offering these opportunities — especially for those who want to deepen their understanding of the system from the inside.
Final Thought
I went into this course with a bit of scepticism — and came out of it with a fresh perspective. It’s changed how I think about adjudication, how I write reports, and how I advise clients.
If you haven’t done a TDS course yet, I really recommend giving one a go. For the time and cost, it delivers serious value — and might just improve the way you work.
👉 Check out the TDS Academy
👉 Follow the AIIC on LinkedIn for updates, training, and future CPD info
Let’s keep raising standards — together.