Breaking Property News 28/1/26
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Tenancy Deposit Scheme further enhances rental UX with continued tie up with tlyfe app
TDS has announced a multi-year extension of its partnership with tlyfe, the fast-growing tenant lifecycle app powered by OpenBrix. Expanding coverage across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the new agreement supports a shared goal of delivering a clearer, more efficient and more connected rental experience for tenants across the UK.
Neil Peers, Chief Operating Officer at TDS, captures why this partnership matters, saying: “Extending our partnership with OpenBrix strengthens our mission to raise standards in the private rented sector. With tlyfe’s rapid growth and proven impact, this partnership helps us deliver clearer, more supportive experiences for tenants across the UK.”
tlyfe: The UK’s #1 tenant app
Launched in partnership with TDS in 2022, tlyfe was designed to take the stress out of the move-in process and help tenants manage the entire lifecycle of their tenancy. Its popularity has skyrocketed and tlyfe now boasts 275,000 users, firmly cementing its position as the UK’s number one tenant app.
One app, many benefits
As part of TDS’s Tenant+ offering, the tlyfe app brings together a suite of tools and services in one trusted place. It’s a one-stop shop for renters to manage key aspects of their tenancy, making life easier not only for tenants but also for the agents and landlords involved. Here are some of the standout features now available to tenants:
- Deposit Management with TDS Integration: Tenants can view and manage their TDS-protected deposit directly in the app. They can see proof their deposit is safely protected and even download their protection certificate. When it’s time to move out, the app guides them on how to reclaim their deposit.
- Info hub and guidance: tlyfe includes an in-app Information Hub filled with guidance, renting tips, and answers to common questions.
- Safe House tenant insurance: Through Tenant+, renters can purchase contents insurance tailored for tenants, including pet damage cover.
- Tenant Redress Service: TDS has introduced a Tenancy Redress Service to help resolve mid-tenancy issues between tenants and their landlords when they arise. It provides a fair, impartial route to resolve complaints without things escalating.
- MyHousing Gateway: A free tool created by the TDS Charitable Foundation to make it easier to find help for housing issues. It’s used by thousands of renters each month to find the right help for solving problems with their home.
- Other Handy Tools: Tenants can build their credit score by recording on-time rent payments in the tlyfe app, which is a boon for their future home purchases or credit needs. The app also helps tenants get “Rent-Ready”, with pre-qualification calculators and digital ID verification, so they can stand out to letting agents when applying for a property. It even has a Home Concierge service to assist with things like setting up utilities, finding cleaners or handymen, and answering any tenancy questions along the way.
Adam Pigott, Chief Executive Officer at OpenBrix, the creators of tlyfe, emphasises how the strengthened partnership with TDS will drive even more innovation for the benefit of renters. He said: “We’re incredibly proud of tlyfe’s growth and the difference it’s making for renters. Renewing our partnership with TDS gives us the platform to accelerate innovation, broaden our reach and continue building tools that genuinely empower tenants throughout their renting journey.”
Why this partnership matters for agents and landlords
While tlyfe is designed to support tenants, agents and landlords also benefit. By giving tenants easy access to deposit information, guidance and self-serve tools, tlyfe reduces day-to-day admin and recurring queries, helping agents save time. Better-informed tenants are more likely to understand their responsibilities, prepare properly at check-out, and avoid disputes, leading to smoother tenancies and faster deposit returns. The integration with TDS also supports transparency and compliance by clearly showing deposit protection and access to redress. As a free, exclusive benefit for TDS customers, tlyfe can also help agents and landlords stand out to tech-savvy renters and strengthen relationships with both tenants and clients.
Supporting renters ahead of The Renters Rights Act
This collaboration comes at a critical time as the rental landscape undergoes major change. The Renters’ Rights Act, due to come into force in May 2026, represents the biggest reform to private renting in decades, including the end of no-fault evictions and fixed-term tenancies, stronger controls on rent increases, and the introduction of a new landlord Ombudsman.
Despite the scale of these changes, awareness among renters remains low. A TDS Charitable Foundation survey found that almost 7 in 10 renters have little or no understanding of the Act. The TDS–tlyfe partnership helps address this gap by providing tenants with a trusted, easy-to-access platform offering clear, up-to-date information and support. This ensures renters are better informed about their rights and responsibilities, while giving landlords confidence that tenants are relying on accurate guidance as the reforms take effect.
Andrew Stanton Executive Editor – moving property and proptech forward. PropTech-X
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