Guest Blogs
It has been an exciting year for the TDS Group as we strive to make life easier and raise standards in the Private Rented Sector. Here are some of our highlights from 2023 and a friendly reminder to take advantage of any if you haven’t already!
1. Out-of-hours service
Through a new out-of-hours service centre, we extended our opening hours for email responses to evenings and weekends.
2. Rebrand
We unveiled a new look by refreshed our brand and introducing a new creative look. Plus, there’s a live sales chat and a revamped help centre.
3. New Policy and Research department
We launched a new department, Policy and Research, led by Dr Jen Harris. For information on improving standards in the PR and our responses to key policy proposals affecting landlords, letting agents and tenants, click here.
4. New customer management system
TDS ushers in a new era of customer management with Salesforce where we’re transforming how we deliver deposit protection and dispute resolution for our customers.
5. TDS Resolution extends to agents
Introducing an expanded TDS Resolution! Our complimentary mediation service for mid-tenancy disputes now allows TDS agents – as well as landlords and tenants -to initiate dispute requests.
6. More software providers integrated
Our API solution has integrated with even more software providers in 2023! Enabling letting agents to transfer tenancy deposit registration information to TDS in one click, reducing time, duplication, and errors.
7. Investing in better services
Our investment in OpenBrix helped to produce tlyfe the tenant app – taking the stress out of renting. We made tlyfe available in the app stores in Summer 2023, reaching the top 100 of productivity apps in the Apple store!
8. Partnering with the best
Our commitment to simplifying processes is reflected in our innovative relationships for improving the PRS. Our integration with The Depository reshapes end-of-tenancy processes and our partnership with the award-winning Inventory Hive provides a user-friendly solution, reducing tenancy deposit disputes.
9. We’re backed by Propertymark, RICS and the NRLA
Our close partnerships with Propertymark, RICS and the NRLA continued! TDS’s extended partnership network is dedicated to delivering industry-leading services to our valued customers, fostering innovation across the private rented sector.
10. Our latest accreditations
We secured multiple accreditations, including Customer Service Excellence (CSE) re-accreditation, BSI Complaint Handling Accreditation for our adjudicator team, and ISO27001:2022 for our technology team, focusing on Information Security, cybersecurity, and privacy protection.
11. Educating the PRS
In 2022/23 TDS Academy delivered over 1,000 hours of training on tenancy deposit protection and disputes! All attendees of our courses receive a certificate which can be used to gain CPD points. Congratulations to all our learners.
12. Raising standards
TDS Charitable Foundation and Safe Deposits Charitable Trust have now awarded £2m in grants to date! A few of the projects this year included the National MEES website with the Centre for Sustainable Energy to help landlords with energy improvements, and the continuous tenant survey working to help meet the needs of tenants in the PRS.
From everyone at TDS, we hope you enjoy a well-deserved rest with your loved ones.
Season’s greetings and a very happy new year!
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