Getting your tenancy deposit back when you move out
Once you move out, your landlord must tell the tenancy deposit scheme that the tenancy has ended.
You do not need to wait for them to do this. You can tell the scheme that your tenancy has ended and you’d like your deposit returned.
If your landlord wants to make deductions from the deposit, they should discuss these with you to see if you agree or not.
Deductions from your deposit
If they decide to make any deductions, your landlord must tell the scheme.
The scheme will contact you and ask if you agree with the deductions. You have 30 working days to confirm if you agree or not.
If you do not reply, your share of the deposit will stay in the scheme. The landlord will get the deductions they ask for.
If there’s no deductions, the scheme will return your deposit in full.
Challenging deductions from your deposit
You can challenge deductions if you disagree.
All 3 schemes offer a free dispute resolution service.
An independent adjudicator will:
- look at the dispute, including evidence from you and the landlord
- decide how much deposit you should get back
If the landlord cannot prove why they should make deductions, you’ll get the full deposit back.
If your landlord does not contact the scheme
You can contact the scheme yourself and ask them to return the money.
The scheme will return your deposit in full within 30 days unless the landlord contacts the scheme and wants to make deductions.
Check which scheme your deposit is protected with
You can check if your deposit is protected with a scheme on their website:
- Letting Protection Service Scotland deposit checker
- mydeposits Scotland deposit checker
- SafeDeposits Scotland deposit checker
If your landlord did not protect your deposit in a scheme
Most landlords must protect the deposit with a scheme.