Moving out of your property

Move Out Checklist

Thank you for renting with LPS.  We want you to get your full deposit back as much as you do so we have created a short checklist to ensure the handover goes as smoothly as possible.

Notice Timescale

All Tenants (dependent on the tenancy agreement you are on – your notice period may vary from 28 days to 2 months) are required to give notice to end the tenancy.  This must be in writing so can either be via email or letter.

 

Viewings

When you give notice, your property will be put back on the market around 3 weeks before your intended leaving date.  You will receive a minimum of 48 hours’ notice in advance of all viewings and keys will be used if required.  Please ensure your property is kept clean and tidy for these.

 

Check Out

We will contact you with the date and time of your check out inspection at least 5 days before your end date.  If you have a specific tine in mind, please get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate you.  The check-out inspection will consist of a full check of the check in inventory and the taking of meter readings.  It is preferrable for you to be present but please advise us if you will not be in attendance.

 

Cleaning

Please see cleaning checklist which will have been sent to you when your notice was received.  This guide will ensure you do not miss any areas.  We can recommend professional cleaners if you wish.

 

Return to original condition

Return all furniture and items (if applicable) to original rooms / places as per the inventory.  Replace lightbulbs and batteries in smoke alarms if required.  Remove all belongings.

 

Leaving Documents

Close all utility accounts and ensure final payments are made for both this and your Council Tax.

 

Returning Keys

If you are not attending the check-out inspection, all keys must be returned to the office together by the last person leaving the property.  Any other arrangements must be discussed with us.

 

Deposit Return

We start the deposit return process with Safe Deposit Scotland (SDS) within 10-15 working days from receipt of all the documents requested, or form when the tenancy ended if you have submitted all your leaving documents prior to the tenancy ending.

Notice to Leave

For the New Private Residential Tenancy (PRT), a tenant can end a tenancy at any point during the tenancy, with 28 days’ written notice.

For a short assured tenancy (SAT), tenants are required to give 2 month’s written notice if they wish to vacate the property otherwise their lease will continue to roll on a 2 monthly rolling contract (with the exception of some fixed term tenancy agreement where the landlord/agent will give notice).

To give notice, a simple email to us with the address of your property, leaving date and  names of all tenants. All tenants must be copied into the email (notification by letter from each tenant is also accepted if you do not use email)

We will reply confirming the receipt of notice and send you details of the checkout procedure.  

Please note that once a notice to quit/notice to leave has been given by the tenant or the landlord/agent, the property will be advertised and viewings will then commence. When properties are tenanted, we limit the viewings to a maximum of 2 per week. During this time we kindly ask that tenants keep the property in a reasonably clean and tidy condition which will help to ensure the property is let quicker and as a result viewings can cease. Tenants are welcome to be present during viewings however we do not expect this as our viewers are able to access with keys and will always be present during the viewings. Tenants will be given 48 hours notice of viewings taking place and the property will be left as it was found (including locks).

If a tenant wishes to exit their tenancy agreement early, they will still be liable for the rent until the end of the agreed tenancy agreement period. Your property manager will be able to talk you through some options regarding finding a replacement tenant if this applies to you.

Checkout

On the final day of your tenancy, we will meet you at the property to complete your check out. This includes a thorough walk through of the property using the check in inventory as the checklist. If you do not wish to be present please let us know although we do recommend that you are present so that any issues can be discussed.  Final meter readings will also be taken at this time.

If you are cleaning the property yourself, please note that the property will need to be cleaned to a professional standard when you leave. If you would prefer to use a cleaning company for your final checkout, we can provide contact details for some local companies.  Please note that you would need to arrange with the cleaning company and make the payment directly to them.

If you have any queries or concerns before you checkout, please inform us beforehand. Your checkout will take place on your final day of your tenancy.

If you believe any maintenance is required at the end of your tenancy, please do let us know.

At the time of your checkout, you will be required to hand over all sets of keys. Keys can also be handed in directly to our office.

A check out report will be available to you should you wish.   You must inform us within 48 hours if you wish to dispute anything contained within this report.

Deposit return and documents needed

Safe Deposit Scotland are a government body and hold all of our deposits.  SDS will transfer your deposit back directly to tenants after confirming with your us no deductions are to be made.

In order to start the process of your deposit return, all issues at the property including any cleaning or maintenance issues must be resolved and all utility accounts must be closed and settled.

Once all the above has been completed, we will either apply to SDS for the full deposit to be returned to you or for we will email you with a breakdown of any deductions which will need to be applied to the deposit to be sent  (usually to the lead tenant) which will show any deductions picked up during the checkout (e.g. breakages, cleaning costs etc.). Any charges will be supported with invoices, where applicable. You will receive this email within 15 working days from receipt of all the documents above.

We aim to have all deposits returned to tenants in full and will provide information sheets detailing what will be required from tenants when they leave the property. If you require further information, we will be happy to advise.

If all tenants are in agreement with the end of tenancy statement we will advise SDS within 5 working days to return the deposit, including any deductions and SDS will contact the tenant directly for their bank details.

If tenants dispute anything shown on the statement, the case is taken to a dispute resolution service, which can take 45 working days (9 weeks) for the disputed amount of the deposit to be assessed.