How Much Could Be Deducted From Your Deposit?
Use our calculator to get an approximate idea of potential deductions based on common cleaning, damage and end-of-tenancy costs.
Calculate Your Potential Deposit Deductions
Moving out of a rental property can come with a few final costs, particularly if cleaning, damage or items left behind need to be dealt with.
Our Deposit Deduction Calculator gives Scottish tenants an approximate indication of potential deductions based on common checkout issues. It can help you understand the possible costs of leaving cleaning or other tasks until the end of your tenancy.
The calculator provides general estimates only. It is not a final assessment and does not determine the amount that will actually be deducted from your deposit.
How Deposit Deductions Work in Scotland
When you move out, the condition of the property is assessed as part of the checkout process.
The check-out condition is considered alongside the check-in inventory and photographs to identify whether there are any differences that may need to be addressed.
Potential deductions can relate to issues such as:
- Cleaning
- Damage
- Missing items
- Items left behind
- Other costs arising from the condition of the property
A deduction is not automatically made simply because something looks different from when you moved in. Normal wear and tear is taken into account.
If deductions are proposed, tenants have the right to challenge or dispute them through the relevant deposit protection scheme.
Deposit Protection in Scotland
Residential tenancy deposits in Scotland must be registered and held with one of the approved tenancy deposit schemes.
These include:
- SafeDeposits Scotland
- mydeposits Scotland
- Letting Protection Service Scotland
The relevant scheme protects the deposit during the tenancy and provides a process for dealing with disputes where the tenant and landlord or agent cannot agree on proposed deductions.
Your deposit remains your money unless a deduction is properly agreed or determined through the relevant process.
Cleanliness
Every property we let is professionally cleaned before a tenant moves in.
We therefore expect the property to be returned in a professionally cleaned condition at the end of the tenancy, reflecting the standard it was in when you moved in.
This includes cleaning the property thoroughly and removing all personal belongings and rubbish.
If you choose not to carry out the cleaning yourself, you may decide to arrange professional cleaners before checkout. Where required, we can provide contact details for reliable cleaning and carpet-cleaning specialists.
The calculator can give you an indication of what some cleaning-related deductions may cost if the required work has not been completed.
Damage vs Wear and Tear
Normal wear and tear is an expected part of living in a property and does not normally result in a deposit deduction.
For example, everyday signs of use such as smudges on a wall where furniture has been positioned or dirty patches on a carpet near a doorway may be considered normal wear and tear, depending on the circumstances.
Damage is different.
Examples can include:
- Blue Tack marks on walls
- Chips to bath enamel
- Heat marks on worktops
Where damage has occurred, the cost may be considered as part of the deposit assessment.
At ELC, we aim to minimise the cost to tenants where possible. Where appropriate, we'll consider repairing damage or assessing its value before replacement is considered.
Common Deposit Deductions
The calculator covers a range of common issues that may arise during the checkout process.
These can include:
Additional cleaning required to return the property to the expected standard.
Cleaning, stain removal or other work required because of the condition of flooring.
Repairing damage that goes beyond reasonable wear and tear.
Replacing items that were provided with the property but are missing or damaged.
Removing belongings, furniture, rubbish or other items left in the property after checkout.
Other costs may arise depending on the property's condition and the circumstances of the tenancy.
What Happens at Check-Out?
When you leave the property, we'll carry out the relevant check-out process and assess its condition.The property is checked after you've moved out.
The property's condition is considered against the original check-in inventory and photographs.
Any relevant cleaning issues, damage, missing items or other concerns are recorded.
Where a deduction may be appropriate, the relevant cost is considered as part of the deposit process.
Once the process is complete, the deposit is returned subject to any agreed deductions. If you disagree with a proposed deduction, you have the right to use the dispute process provided by the relevant tenancy deposit scheme.
Deposit Deduction Calculator
Use the calculator below to explore some of the common costs that may arise when a rental property isn’t returned in the required condition.
Select the issues that apply to your property to generate an estimated figure.
Important
The result is an estimate only. It is not a quote, invoice or final assessment of your deposit.
The actual condition of the property will be assessed at checkout, using the check-in and check-out records and other relevant information.
Cleanliness
All flats let by Edinburgh Letting Centre have been cleaned up to a professional standard prior to the check-in and on checkout should be handed over in a similar state. Professional cleaners are very expensive. They charge between £15 and £20 per hour for deep end of tenancy cleaning. On average, it takes around 12 hours to bring a 2 bedroom flat of average cleanliness up to an acceptable check out standard.
How big is your flat?
1 bedroom 2 bedroom 3 bedroom 4 bedroom 5 bedroomHow many hours did you spend cleaning you property?
Light bulbs
Tenants are responsible for light bulb replacement during their tenancy and on check in all light bulbs are in working order. As we only have LED light bulbs in stock, supply and fit of one missing or burnt out bulb cost £3.
Are all your light bulbs working?
Yes NoMattress stains
It is Edinburgh Letting Centre's policy to provide new waterproof mattress protectors for each bed in a furnished flat every tenancy changover. Some matrresses can be washed, some (like IKEA spring mattresses) are unsuitable for washing and if badly stained, they need to be disposed of. If you decide not to use a mattress protector, bear in mind that it costs, on average, £30 to wash a mattress. In case of unwasheable matresses charges depend on 'life left' in the matress - let's assume that the disposal of the soiled mattress and the lost lifespan of the mattress is worth £50.
Have you stained any of your mattresses?
Yes NoWall damage
We strongly discourage use of blue and white tack to attach any posters or photos - it is nearly impossible to remove gluey residue both tacks leave when removed. Small pins are much better - but if you attach anything to the wall, remember to remove pins, fill in and touch up any holes with paint. Removing blue / white tacks or filling in and touching up nail holes is expensive: £2 per spot and if there is more than 25 spots per wall, it is cheaper to paint the wall (£50 per wall). So when you end your tenancy with more blue tack spots and nail holes than you started, you may expect some deposit deductions.
Have you caused any wall damage (tack stains, nail holes)?
Yes NoSmall abandoned items
Please do not leave any items you own in the flat, even if you think they may be handy for the new tenants. This includes bedding, washing up liquds, soap, hangers, plates, pots and pans, curtains or decorations. In other words - if it was not in the check-in inventory and if your landlord or a property manager did not agree to you leaving it, please take it away with you or dispose of it. If we have to pack and bin your items, there will be a £5 charge per black bag. On average, washing up powders, soaps, detergents etc. stored underneath the kitchen sink fill one bag. One set of bedding may take 2-3 bags. 3 sets of hangers take 1 bag.
Have you left any small items?
Yes NoBulky abandoned items
We are unable to dispose of big (bulky) abandoned items on our own - so if you decide to leave your TV, a mattress, a bed, a sofa or a wardrobe, etc. behind, we will have to use a removal company to dispose of them. They charge us, on average, £80 per small caged skip - it is usually a mix of recycling and landfill. All contents of a sparsely furnished 2 bedroom flat will fill 3 skips. If there is a single big abandoned item (for example a TV), a minimum charge of £80 may apply - somebody will have to dispose of it.
Have you left any bulky items?
Yes NoBath or shower cubicle chips
Dropping a sharp or heavy item on bath or shower tray, both plastic or enamelled, may cause a chip that will need to be repaired - otherwise, the bath or tray may rust and it will evetually start leaking. Plastic surgeons charge £95 for bath chip repair.
Have you caused any bath chips?
Yes NoWorktop damage
Dropping a heavy item, like a pan or a pot on the edge of a worktop may cause a chip that we will need to repair. Leaving a hot frying pan on a worktop may cause a burn mark or may melt the surface. Plastic surgeons charge £130 for worktop repair.
Have you caused any worktop damage?
Yes NoGarden
Do you have a garden?
Yes NoIs your garden tidy?
Yes NoHow big is your garden?
Small Medium LargeCarpet damage
Carpets will wear with age; it is completely normal. Hall flooring will show more advanced wear and tear than, for example, bedrooms. The most typical carpet damage are iron burns. In the worst case scenario, the whole carpet in the room may have to be replaced. We assume you have not been smoking inside as it is not permitted by the lease and you have not left any cigarette burn marks.
Did you cause any carpet damage while ironing?
Yes NoRent arrears
Do you have any rent arrears?
Yes NoIf you have any rent arrears, or if you did not serve a proper notice, and have just moved out, Scottish letting agents may deduct any rent arrears from your deposit.
Your tenancy deposit
TOTAL DEPOSIT DEDUCTION
Getting Ready to Move Out?
