When you move out, you or your landlord can ask the deposit protection scheme to return your deposit.

Ask your landlord for a breakdown of any costs they want to deduct from your deposit, and negotiate how much you'll get back.

If you cannot agree, ask the deposit protection scheme to decide.

Before you move out

Take these steps to make it easier to get your deposit back:

• leave the property and furnishings in a good clean state

• check that any appliances and fittings are in good working order

• remove all of your belongings from the property

• ask your landlord or letting agent to do an exit check with you

• take pictures and videos as proof of how you're leaving the property

• take meter readings on the day you move out, and make sure to cancel any bills

Asking for your deposit back

Email or write to your landlord or letting agent when you move out. Ask them to confirm when your deposit will be returned.

If they do not respond, you can request it back from the deposit protection scheme. Check where your deposit is protected:

• MyDeposits Scotland

• Safe Deposits Scotland

• Letting Protection Service Scotland

If you had a joint tenancy

The deposit may be returned to the lead tenant, and they should split the money between you. If you're not sure who the lead tenant was, ask your landlord or the deposit scheme.

Ask the lead tenant to return your share of the deposit. If they do not respond in a reasonable time, give them a deadline to return it by. It's best to put this in writing, so you have proof that you've tried to resolve it.

If they still do not return your money, you can claim it back in court using a process called simple procedure. Check Citizens Advice guidance on simple procedure.

If your landlord wants to keep some of your deposit

The deposit protection scheme will write to you saying how much your landlord wants to keep.

You must respond within 30 working days to say whether or not you agree to the amount.

Ask your landlord for a breakdown of the costs they want to charge for, and consider whether they're reasonable.

Your landlord can only charge you to put the property back how it was when when you moved in. They cannot charge you for:

• fair wear and tear – this includes any damage or deterioration that's happened gradually through normal use

• repairs they're responsible for, unless the repair issue got worse because you did not report it

• brand new replacements for old items or renovations they've decided to do

For example, if you left a stain on the carpet, your landlord can only charge you for the cost of cleaning it. They cannot charge you the full cost of a new carpet.

Negotiate how much you'll get back

Tell your landlord or letting agent how much you think you should get back and why.

Give proof if you can, such as:

• what was listed in the inventory

• what was agreed on an exit check

• pictures you took when you moved in and when you moved out

• proof that you reported repairs

• cheaper quotes for cleaning or repairs

If you and your landlord agree on the amount you'll get back, then the deposit protection scheme will pay you the money.

If you cannot come to an agreement

Ask the deposit protection scheme to decide how much you should get back. This is called dispute resolution.

You may need to show that you've tried to negotiate with your landlord first.

The scheme will look at any proof that you and your landlord give them. They should make a decision within 20 working days.

If you disagree with the scheme's decision, you can ask for a review. You must do this within 10 days of the decision.

Getting back an unprotected deposit

If your landlord was exempt from deposit protection

First try negotiating to get your deposit back. If you cannot come to an agreement, you could get your deposit back through a court process called simple procedure. Check Citizens Advice for guidance on simple procedure.

If your deposit should have been protected

If your landlord did not protect your deposit when they should have, you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber) to get it back.

You could also get compensation up to 3 times the amount of your deposit.