Tenant Tips: How to get your deposit back

Tenant Tips: How to get your deposit back
June 15, 2022

In this blog we will give you our top tips on how to go about getting your deposit back.

How to get your deposit back is our second video from our Tenant's Tips Video Series, to view our first one about how to properly clean your washing machine, please click here.

Rachel our Senior Tenancy Manager explains how to get your deposit back at the end of the tenancy and gives some insight about common things that are deducted.

As agents we carry out a pre check out visit when notice has been handed in by a tenant and during this visit it gives us an opportunity to help both the tenant and the landlord find out if there is anything that needs done prior to the end of tenancy. During this inspection it isn't always possible for agents to point out everything that may be required, as it is quite difficult to see with all the tenants furniture is in, so following our visit we send a helpful moving guide. This includes: redirecting your mail, cleaning, washing machine drawers.

Please visit our helpful page with everything a tenant needs to know here!

Check your inventory for reference

When you move into a property we send you out an inventory, this includes what the property looked like, with photographs and a detailed description. We ask all tenants to follow the moving guide so that we can get the property looking how it did at the beginning of the tenancy. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch but we do recommend using the inventory as a comparison to make sure the property returned in the same condition. This is the best way to get your deposit back.

Professional Cleaners

We also recommend using professional cleaners to get your deposit back. Before we have a tenant move into the property we have them professionally cleaned and we ask that you keep any receipts so that you can use this as evidence at the end of the tenancy for landlords. If you are a tenant who has been permitted a pet, we ask that carpets and upholstery are all professionally shampooed, this is to help with allergens so that when the next tenant that moves in, the property is in the correct condition. If this isn't done this could cause potential deposit deductions because a landlord must have this done at the end of tenancy for relet of a new tenant and it is not their responsibility if the current tenant had a pet, so it is something we ask out tenants to arrange. We can recommend trustworthy, professional cleaners to our tenants, which can be used at the beginning and end of the tenancy, which will ensure that the property is returned in an appropriate condition which also helps in allowing the tenant to get their deposit back, please get in touch for more information about this.

What to do if you have holes in the walls?

In regards to pictures of paintings hanging on the walls, if there is any holes we recommend letting your tenancy manger know, as trying to repair this yourself could lead to a mark on the wall which is a different colour to the original paint, this can sometimes be worse than a small hole and would require the entire wall being redecorated. This is something we ask tenants to be very wary of.

Honesty

Lastly, we recommend being honest about any damage. We understand that accidents can happen in a property but we always suggest being open and honest, letting us know so we can tell the landlord as usually the landlord appreciates honesty from the tenant and would prefer for it to be left for them to deal with it at the end of tenancy or we can work together to find a solution. Please have a look at our repairs policy.

Contact Safe Deposit Scotland

Once we carry out a checkout of the property after the keys have been returned by a tenant we will get in touch with you just to let you know you can contact Safe Deposit Scotland for the return of your deposit. The deposit is held throughout the tenancy by Safe Deposit Scotland who use to log all tenancy deposits and you can get their number from ourselves if you give us a call. Once you give them a call they require your full name and the address you stayed at and confirmation that you wish for the deposit to be returned to yourself.

Safe Deposit Scotland are the tenancy deposit scheme that we choose to use as agents and they usually return deposits as quickly as possible (up to 5 working days), but of course you can ask them any questions about when your deposit will be returned and how long it might take them to process that. We would recommend that you read more about the SafeDeposits Scotland scheme. Click here to go to their website.

If you have any further questions please give us a call directly and we can go through any queries, our contact number is 01355 458253.

Whether you're looking for a fabulous flat or a family home we can help. We have access to a wide range of properties.

You'll need to move fast though - properties with The Property Store rent swiftly so if you see something you like - get in touch.

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We are buying a house through Euan at The Property Store East Kilbride and he has been great. Knew all about the property with questions we had, helped us envision ourselves there and was always available on the phone with questions we had. Great estate agent and would definitely recommend him and The Property Store   Elizabeth Allum

Property store have been so helpful in helping me find my letting property. It’s my first flat that I am letting on my own and they have been so good with all the information I have asked for. No question was a bother. Staff are lovely. Highly recommend! Rachel and grace you have both been stars with my endless amount of questions!!! A credit to the company.

  • - Taylor - Tenant

Sold my house last year through The Property Store - they were absolutely fantastic. Euan was excellent and went above and beyond with his customer care. Nothing was a bother for him. Would highly recommend them.

  • - Lyndsay

"Can you pass thanks on to the landlord. I've enjoyed living in the house it's just unfortunate my hip condition has deteriorated and caused me to move. I hope the new tenants enjoy their new home. Thank you to property store for all the help and support. A very professional team. I would highly recommend you to others."

  • Helen
  • - Tenant

Good customer service, always happy to help, Andrew is fab! can't complain

  • - Danielle - Tenant

"The Property Store was fantastic in finding me a property. They really took such a personal approach to finding me a suitable flat and take great care to ensure its the right fit. The staff are very friendly and will do everything they can to help in anyway they can. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a property."

  • Debbie Fraser

"For some time I had been looking at further property development opportunities on a buy to let basis. As a landlord I had already been working successfully with the Property Store for a number of years and I took the opportunity to discuss this with them. Living remote from East Kilbride and having talked through my requirements it was clear that the most suitable option was for the Property Store to source, develop and let on a fully managed basis.

I have been very impressed with the speed that things have moved particularly how quickly the properties are upgraded and prepared for letting to the point where we have had tenants in advance of completion of works. As a result I have now added three properties in a matter of a few months.

As a remote landlord it is essential that you build confidence in the agents you are dealing with and the team at the Property Store have been excellent to deal with. They are a well-trained motivated team who know what they are doing.

The Property Store utilises the services of a number of key contractors with whom they have has a business relationship for many years. The contractors know the exacting requirements of owner Lorraine Robb and can be trusted to provide competitive quotes as well as completing works to a high standard. The Property Store fully inspect all works and provide regular feedback and are quick to take care of those small details that make all the difference.

I have no hesitation in recommending the Property Store to anyone considering a fully managed service from sourcing to redevelopment to letting."

  • Landlord and Investor

Excellent customer service from Gillian at The Property Store.
Reported a repair and the contractor was at my property within an hour.
Delighted with the service from both.

  • - Julie

"All of the staff are great, very professional, helpful and welcoming.
Made our journey very easy and stress free, would highly recommend them!!!
From viewing the property to handover of our keys everything was smooth, no issues and now have a very happy household
Thank you all for your help."

  • - Allyson

"Having previously rented accommodation with other letting agents in the area, The Property Store are miles ahead of the rest. Lovely maintained properties and professional and courteous staff. Highly recommend!"

  • Letting agents
  • - Claire Moran