Moving out of your Western Lettings property - everything you need to know.
Your check-out, your deposit, your next move. Here's exactly how it all works.
Fully prepared.
Follow the steps on this page for a straightforward moving out experience.
Clearly explained.
We'll tell you exactly what we're looking for at check-out so nothing catches you off guard.
Fairly handled.
Our aim is always to return your deposit in full. This page exists to help make that happen.
The end of a tenancy comes with questions. How much cleaning is enough? What counts as wear and tear? When do you get your deposit back? This page answers all of them - clearly, in the order things happen, so you can move out with confidence.
Your Glasgow rental property check-out
1
Preparing to Move Out
In Scotland, most tenants can end their tenancy at any time by giving 28 days' notice in writing. Your notice period starts from the date your property manager receives it - so the sooner you send it, the sooner your end date is confirmed.
Once your notice is in, we'll be in touch to arrange your check-out appointment and walk you through what to expect. The earlier you start preparing, the more straightforward the process will be.
Your final rent payment will usually not cover a full month. We'll calculate the pro-rata amount based on your notice period and let you know exactly what's due - no guessing, no surprises.
Start early, finish cleanly. Good preparation is the single biggest factor in a smooth check-out and a full deposit return.
2
Working Through the Inventory
The inventory produced at the start of your tenancy is the benchmark for your check-out. It's worth pulling it up early - well before your move out date - and going through it room by room to remind yourself of the condition things were in when you moved in.
Look for anything that's been damaged or has gone missing since you moved in. Honest preparation at this stage avoids difficult conversations later.
Normal Wear and Tear
Normal wear and tear is expected over the course of a tenancy and won't result in deposit deductions. A carpet that's slightly flattened from use, paintwork that's faded slightly, minor scuffs on walls - these are reasonable signs of a property being lived in.
What isn't covered by wear and tear is damage - burns, stains, breakages, or deterioration caused by neglect. If you're unsure whether something falls into one category or the other, speak to your property manager before your check-out appointment.
Check the inventory early. It tells you exactly what standard the property needs to be returned to - and where your attention is needed most.
3
Getting the Property Ready
The property must be returned clean, tidy and in good order. Our aim is always to make no deposit deductions - and a well-prepared property makes that straightforward. The areas most commonly overlooked are:
- Oven, hob and extractor fan - clean inside and out
- Fridge and freezer - emptied, defrosted, cleaned and left with the door open
- Microwave - cleaned inside and out
- Carpets - professionally cleaned where required
- Windows - cleaned inside, and outside where accessible
- Oven - cleaned thoroughly, including racks and seals
- Light bulbs - replace any that have blown
- Garden - cut, weeded and left in the condition noted in the inventory
- Bed linen - laundered if supplied by the landlord
If professional cleaning is required and you haven't arranged it, the cost will be claimed from your security deposit. It's always cheaper and easier to arrange it yourself in advance.
All personal belongings must be removed from the property - including items in lofts, garages, outbuildings and any storage areas. Anything left behind may be disposed of and the cost charged to your deposit.
A clean property handed back in good order is the fastest route to your deposit being returned in full.
4
The Check-Out Appointment
We'll arrange a check-out appointment with you in advance. At the appointed time, the property should be fully prepared and ready to hand back - keys included.
Your property manager will work through the inventory, note the condition of the property and take photographs. You'll receive a check-out report detailing their findings. Where everything is in order, the process is straightforward and quick.
If there are areas that need attention, we'll discuss them with you at the time and explain what's being proposed in terms of any deductions. In most cases we're able to reach an agreement without dispute.
Please note: if the property isn't ready at the time of the appointment and we're required to make a repeat visit to complete the check-out, we reserve the right to make a charge for that additional visit.
We'll also send you an explainer video and check-out guidance notes in advance of the appointment so you know exactly what to expect on the day.
Arrive prepared and the check-out is usually over quickly - with nothing left to dispute.
5
Final Bills & Utilities
At check-out we'll take final meter readings for gas and electricity. These are passed to the utility companies after your check-out, who will send closing bills to your forwarding address. Make sure we have a forwarding address for you before you leave.
We'll also notify the council tax office of your move-out date. You won't need to contact them directly - we take care of it.
Standing Order
As soon as your last rent payment has been made, cancel your standing order with your bank. Don't wait until after you've moved out - an additional payment arriving after your tenancy has ended creates unnecessary administration. We reserve the right to charge a £25 administration fee for the return of any rent received after the tenancy end date.
Mail Forwarding
Arrange mail redirection through Royal Mail for all occupants named on the tenancy. This is your responsibility - we're not able to forward mail on your behalf, though any post that arrives for you after you've left will be held at our office for 30 days before disposal.
Sort the standing order and mail redirection before you move out, not after. Both are easy to overlook and both can cause problems if left too late.
6
Viewings During Your Notice Period
Once your notice is in, we may contact you to arrange viewings of the property for prospective tenants. This is a condition of your tenancy agreement and we appreciate your cooperation in helping us find a good tenant for whoever takes on the property next.
We'll always give you reasonable notice before any viewing - at least 24 hours - and will do our best to arrange viewings at times that are convenient for you. If a viewer cancels, you'll be notified straight away.
If you or anyone else is resident in the property during the notice period, viewings won't go ahead without prior notification to you. You can always let us know if certain times don't work.
Viewings are kept to a minimum and always arranged at your convenience - your home remains your home until the day you hand back the keys.
7
Getting Your Deposit Back
Your deposit is held with Safe Deposits Scotland, one of the three government-approved tenancy deposit schemes in Scotland. To claim your deposit at the end of your tenancy, you'll need your Deposit Account Number (DAN) - this was emailed to you shortly after your tenancy started. If you can't locate it, contact Safe Deposits Scotland directly.
Where the property has been returned in good order, your deposit should be returned to you promptly and in full. Where deductions are proposed, we'll set out clearly what they're for and why. In most cases we're able to reach an agreement without involving the scheme's dispute process.
If a dispute is unavoidable, Safe Deposits Scotland handles it independently. Both parties put their case - we'll provide the photographic evidence and inventory records from the start and end of your tenancy to support the process. The scheme's decision is binding.
The burden of proof in any deposit dispute falls on the landlord, not the tenant. Where Western Lettings managed your tenancy from the start, we'll have the documentation to support a fair outcome.
A deposit dispute is always a last resort. In the vast majority of tenancies, a well-prepared property and a clear process means the deposit comes back without any of that.
We used Western Lettings as our letting agent (as tenants) for nearly three years and had nothing but good experiences with them. They were consistently professional and helpful, responded quickly to anything we contacted them about, and made our eventual move-out process very smooth. Highly recommend!
Moving into a Western Lettings property?
We've laid out everything you need to know before your move-in day - from applying for a property to collecting your keys.
Who looks after your property?
Every Western Lettings property has a dedicated property manager - someone who knows your home, knows its history and is the person you call when you need something.
Are you a landlord?
If you're looking to let your Glasgow property rather than rent one, our landlord page covers everything you need to know about how we work - and why over 850 Glasgow landlords trust us with their properties.
Ready for a smooth move-out?
1. Give notice and start preparing.
Send your 28 days' notice in writing and pull up your inventory. The earlier you start working through the things on this page, the more straightforward your check-out will be.
2. Get the property ready.
Clean thoroughly, address anything flagged in the inventory and hand back on the day in good order. We'll have sent you everything you need to know in advance.
3. Get your deposit back.
Use your DAN to claim your deposit from Safe Deposits Scotland. Where everything's in order, it should be back with you quickly and in full. No delays, no disputes, no money you're owed sitting in limbo - just a fair process and your deposit back where it belongs.
Quick to respond to any issues/queries we have, really friendly and professional team (thank you Mark!)
Always quick to quell any worries when they arise.
It's rare you get such a good team of landlord and estate agent these days, but here we are!
Thank you again for letting us rent with you!
I was really reluctant to use a letting agency due to some very bad experience from others. A friend told me about this company which is absolutely brilliant. They keep you updated and do regular checks and only disturb you when there is an important decision-making issue.
Top marks and thank you!
The end of a tenancy should be as straightforward as the beginning.
A poorly managed check-out with unclear expectations, disputed deductions, and an agent who goes quiet when things get difficult can sour an otherwise good tenancy. You shouldn't be left chasing money that's rightfully yours or feeling like you didn't matter once you'd handed back the keys.
At Western Lettings, a smooth check-out isn't something we leave to chance. The same process and care that got you in is what gets you out - fairly, cleanly and without unnecessary stress.
And when you're ready for your next home, you know where to find us.
