The TDS Charitable Foundation works to raise standards in the private rented sector, by:
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The relief of those in need through promoting, undertaking, and supporting research into factors that contribute to hardship and disadvantage in the private rented sector and the most appropriate ways to mitigate these, and to publish the useful results.
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Advancing education about housing rights and obligations in general, and in particular about:
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Best practice in the management of private rented housing​
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Legal rights and obligations of those involved in the provision or management of private rented housing or who hold tenancies within the private rented housing sector, and
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Using alternative dispute resolution for more efficient and effective resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
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Advancing conflict resolution through promoting the use of alternative dispute resolution processes for the more efficient resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants within the private rented housing sector. ​​​
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We are funded mainly by donations from The Dispute Service – the leading Tenancy Deposit Scheme which operates on a non-profit basis across the UK.
We operate in England and Wales and have funded organisations and projects across all regions.
In Scotland, The Dispute Service is a partner in the SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust which works towards similar goals in the Scottish private rented sector.
The TDS Charitable Foundation is on mission to raise standards in the private rented sector.
We deliver our mission by awarding grants to organisations, conducting research, and providing educational information to tenants and landlords.
Trustees
The Foundation can have up to nine Trustees at any one time.
It is currently Chaired by Paula Quigley.
Paula Quigley - Chair
Paula is dedicated to driving social impact through education and community development. With over 20 years of leadership in the third sector and business transformation, she specialises in strategic planning and talent development, empowering organisations and communities to create lasting, meaningful change.
David Cox - Trustee
David Cox became Rightmove’s Legal and Compliance Director in November 2020 following almost seven years at the helm of the property industry’s professional body, Propertymark. David is currently a Board Director of Rightmove Landlord and Tenant Services, a specialist tenant referencing and insurance provider as well as Rightmove’s other subsidiaries. A Barrister-at-Law, David was called to the Bar of Lincolns Inn in 2006.
Martin Blakey- Trustee
Martin Blakey has worked in student accommodation for over 20 years. As Chief Executive of the student housing charity Unipol, Martin has helped develop a portfolio housing 3,000 students in Leeds, provides services to around 15 HEIs, accredits just over 220,000 bed spaces and operates the main training programme for those involved in student accommodation.
Nicki Alvey - Trustee
Nicki has a background in business management and development with a marketing bias. She has held a number of executive posts including at the National Housing Federation, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and the Royal Society of Public Health. Nicki has served as a non-executive with the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Chartered Institute of Trademark Attorneys Benevolent Fund. She is a JP and has a particular interest in landlord and tenant relations.
Steve Harriott - Trustee
Steve is the Chief Executive of The Dispute Service, the UK’s only not for profit provider of tenancy deposit protection. He has worked as chief executive of three housing associations.
Sue Threader - Trustee
Sue Threader is the Chief Executive of the Rochester Bridge Trust [which has a large residential portfolio] and she brings significant experience both as a charity chief executive and as a senior executive working previously in local government, initially as a Civil Engineer and then as a Deputy CEO of a district Council. She has served on a number of charity Boards and Trusts.
Shahad Choudhury - Trustee
Shahad has a background in project management and technology. He has worked at UK Export Finance, Department for International Trade, Transport for London as well as being the Founder of OpenBrix. He is passionate about meeting the needs of tenants and was one of the masterminds behind the Tlyfe app which TDS is now developing with Openbrix.