Clackmannanshire Council Online

Tenancy Deposit Schemes

Tenancy Deposit Schemes

Three tenancy deposit schemes operate in Scotland. Private landlords who receive a deposit in connection with a tenancy need to comply with the following legal duties:

• Pay a deposit into an approved tenancy deposit scheme
• Provide the tenant with key information about the tenancy and deposit

What is a Tenancy Deposit?

A tenancy deposit is a sum of money that a tenant may be required to pay a landlord at the start of a tenancy. The deposit is then kept by the landlord as security again the tenant not meeting their obligations in connection with a tenancy or occupancy agreement.

The tenancy agreement should detail the circumstances when the landlord might keep some, or all, of the deposit at the end of a tenancy. Some circumstances when this might happen could be to pay for:

• Damage to the property caused by the tenant
• Cleaning bills if the property has been left in poor condition
• Any unpaid bills, such as fuel bills
• Any unpaid rent

Further information about tenancy deposits and the schemes operating in Scotland can be found on the Scottish Government's website.