SafeDeposits Scotland Blog

Many landlords don't allow any permanent changes to be made to their property. If you have an established and trusting relationship with your landlord they may be happy for you to make alterations. You will have to reach an agreement before thinking of doing anything - if you don't you may lose out on your deposit at the end of the tenancy. Any agreement reached should be put in writing so there is no room for disagreement at the end of the tenancy. If it's a phone call...Read More

The action a tenant needs to take in relation to a garden should be clearly set out in the tenancy agreement. Tenants should always read the tenancy agreement before signing it and if you have any questions ask your potential landlord beforehand. Generally speaking, a tenant should be expected to keep a garden neat, including paths, lawn and flowerbeds and to return the garden in the same condition as at check in. The garden should be seen as an extension house. The same principle as the...Read More

How do I know if my deposit has been protected? Your landlord has 30 working days from the tenancy start date to transfer your deposit to a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme, and provide you with particular key information. The key information should include the name and contact details of the tenancy deposit scheme which protects your money. After they have received your deposit, the scheme will also send you a deposit protection certificate to confirm your money is...Read More

Not all tenancies run smoothly, sometimes things can go wrong. You may think about withholding rent in order to force your landlord to do something, such as repairs. You may think that withholding rent is justified if you feel you have been unfairly treated. Whatever the circumstance and however you feel, withholding rent is always a risky option. Tenant and landlord responsibilities A fundamental part of the tenancy agreement is the tenant's obligation to pay rent to live...Read More

As a tenant you pay a deposit as a promise you will follow the terms and obligations in the tenancy agreement (you need to: make sure the property is as clean when you move out as it was when you moved in, no damage the property or its contents, to pay the rent etc.). If you don't stick to these terms, your landlord may wish to make a claim against your deposit. If your landlord does make a claim and you disagree, you can refer the dispute to our free adjudication service. SafeDeposits...Read More

One of the most common reasons that people come to Shelter Scotland for help with is disputes between tenants and landlords. These represented 10% of all the cases we saw in 2016-17, and 20% of the cases from people who live in the private rented sector (PRS). Even more staggeringly, 46% of all the people who came to us for help were living in the PRS - a group that only makes up 14% of all households in Scotland. So, what can you do, as a tenant, to ensure...Read More