Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 28 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what the maximum time period a tenant has to claim the return of a deposit following the end of their tenancy agreement.
A tenant can start the reclaim process for a deposit return at any point on or past the date on which their tenancy ends. In cases where a landlord has commenced the reclaim process first, a tenant has 30 working days to advise whether or not they agree to the proposed return amount. In either situation, where a tenant or landlord does not agree with the proposed return by the other party, there is a dispute resolution system in place.
If neither the tenant or landlord commences the repayment process, the tenant can log on to their deposit account and request a reclaim at any point. There is no statutory time limit on a tenant being able reclaim their deposit and currently any funds that are considered to be unclaimed are held indefinitely by the tenancy deposit schemes in a designated account.