Breaking Property News 28/07/25
Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.
Finding a new place to rent or managing your tenancy, why tlyfe is adding UX to the rental journey for tenants
Renting a home can be stressful, but a new app called tlyfe, which has already got over 175,000 users and is supported by the government-backed Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), aims to make the entire experience smoother for tenants across England and Wales. Created by proptech firm OpenBrix, tlyfe offers a streamlined digital hub where renters can manage their deposit, improve their credit score, and even unlock better rental opportunities.
tlyfe is free to use and available via the App Store and web, giving tenants access to a wide range of features designed to simplify every stage of the rental journey. One of its standout functions is the ability to securely manage your tenancy deposit if it’s protected by TDS. The app syncs with the TDS database, so you can instantly view the status of your deposit, download your protection certificate, and access all the key information without needing to search through paperwork or email threads.
Another major benefit of using the app is its ability to help tenants build their credit score. By enabling the app to track rent payments, tenants can have their consistent monthly payments reported to credit reference agencies, helping to establish a stronger financial profile—something that’s often difficult for renters who don’t have other forms of credit.
The app also features a Rent-Ready system, allowing users to pre-qualify and present themselves as reliable applicants when searching for a new property. This feature can speed up the rental process and make tenants stand out to letting agents and landlords.
tlyfe also offers practical tools to support day-to-day living. Through its tenant concierge service, users can set up essentials like broadband, utilities, and insurance. There’s even a built-in Marketplace where users can access discounts on common services such as removals, energy suppliers, and home insurance.
All of these services are designed to support tenants not only during their tenancy but also at the end of it. If you are using the TDS Insured scheme, your landlord is responsible for returning your deposit, which should be done within ten days of the tenancy ending—unless there’s a dispute. With the TDS Custodial scheme, the deposit is held by the scheme itself, and tenants can initiate a return request directly through the service. If both parties agree on the amount, the refund is usually processed within five working days.
In cases where a disagreement arises over deductions, tenants and landlords can turn to the TDS’s free dispute resolution service. This process relies on submitted evidence from both parties and ensures a fair, impartial outcome. Importantly, most deposits—more than 99%—are returned without the need for dispute resolution.
It brings together all the key elements tenants need into one modern, easy-to-use app. From managing your legally protected deposit and boosting your credit score to handling utilities and navigating the end of tenancy process, tlyfe helps renters stay in control. With the backing of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, tenants can be confident they’re managing their rental life in a compliant, transparent, and efficient way
Andrew Stanton Executive Editor – moving property and proptech forward. PropTech-X
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