Most deposit disputes are decided on the quality of the evidence, not the strength of an argument. Adjudicators work from what was recorded at check-in and check-out, nothing else carries weight.
Timestamped, dated photography
A photograph with no clear date or context is weak evidence. Reports need consistent time-stamping and room-by-room structure so an adjudicator can line up before-and-after images without guesswork.
Specific, neutral language
“Good condition” and “used” are subjective. Adjudicators respond better to specific, neutral descriptions, the type of wear, its location, and its extent, recorded the same way at both ends of the tenancy.
A like-for-like comparison
Check-out reports that reference the exact wording and photographs from check-in make it far easier for an adjudicator to isolate genuine damage from fair wear and tear.
Why this matters for agents and landlords
Independent, consistent reporting reduces the number of disputes that reach adjudication in the first place, and improves the odds when they do.