How long does adjudication take, what does it cost and what happens next? – flatfair

Adjudication is the evidence-based process used to decide end-of-tenancy charges that the parties have not resolved.

When does adjudication start?

Adjudication starts after:

the negotiation stage has ended;
the dispute fee has been paid;
the final 5-day evidence window has closed; and
flatfair has sent the complete case to the adjudicator.

How long does it take?

The adjudicator has up to 28 days to issue the decision after receiving the complete case.

flatfair contacts the parties when the decision and report are available.

What does it cost?

The standard tenant dispute fee is £25.

The fee-refund rule in the No Deposit terms applying to your plan determines whether any of the fee is returned after the decision. Check those terms before starting adjudication.

What can the adjudicator decide?

For each unresolved charge, the adjudicator can award:

the full amount proposed;
part of the amount; or
no amount.

The decision is based on the evidence submitted before referral. The adjudicator considers responsibility, condition, fair wear and tear, actual financial loss and whether the amount claimed is reasonable.

Will I receive an explanation?

Yes. flatfair provides the parties with the adjudication report explaining the decision and the amount awarded for each charge.

The decision is final within flatfair’s adjudication process. There is no second flatfair adjudication because a party disagrees with the outcome.

Contact flatfair promptly if the report contains a clear administrative or calculation error.

What happens after the decision?

flatfair updates the case and confirms the final established balance.

If money is due, it must be paid through the secure payment route within 5 days of the payment notification. Once the balance is paid and the landlord or agent completes the end-of-tenancy process, the end-of-tenancy case can be closed.

An unpaid balance can be referred to collections. If you cannot pay by the deadline, contact flatfair immediately and read What should I do if I cannot pay end-of-tenancy charges?