Tenancy Deposit Protection

Secure deposit protection

At scottfraser, we take the protection of your deposit seriously. All deposits we hold are protected by a government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme, giving you peace of mind that your money is safe throughout your tenancy.

Have a question?

Your deposit is safe with scottfraser.

How deposit protection works

When you pay a deposit (typically equivalent to five weeks' rent), we register it with a government-approved scheme within 30 days. You'll receive confirmation of this registration, including:

Which scheme is protecting your deposit
How to apply for the release of your deposit
What to do if there's a dispute at the end of your tenancy
The terms under which your deposit will be returned

No-deposit option

We offer a no-deposit option through our Residency membership for tenants who prefer not to pay a large upfront deposit. Instead of a traditional deposit, you pay a small monthly fee, making the move-in process more affordable.

End of tenancy

At the end of your tenancy, we'll conduct a check-out inspection comparing the property's condition to the initial inventory. Provided there are no issues with the property's condition, unpaid rent or bills, your deposit will be returned within 10 days of your tenancy ending.

We recently worked with Vicky (Victoria Wacinska) during our property search and rental process, and we were extremely impressed by the level of service she provided from start to finish. Moving house can often be stressful, especially when coordinating viewings, paperwork, references, and timelines, but Vicky made the entire process smooth and straightforward. She was consistently professional, responsive, and proactive in keeping us informed at every stage. What stood out most was Vicky’s attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile. She was always available to answer questions, explain procedures clearly, and follow up promptly whenever we needed assistance. Her communication was excellent throughout, and we always felt that she genuinely cared about achieving the best outcome for all parties involved. Vicky demonstrated a strong knowledge of the local property market and handled every aspect of the tenancy process with efficiency and professionalism. She remained patient, approachable, and supportive, even when dealing with more complex matters and tight deadlines. Thanks to Vicky’s hard work and dedication, our experience was far less stressful than it could have been, and we felt confident and well-supported throughout the entire journey. We would not hesitate to recommend Vicky to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, reliable, and highly professional property agent. Thank you, Vicky, for all your help and outstanding service.

Nga Man Poon

1 day ago

We had a very good experience with ScottFraser. This was our first time renting through a letting agency and they were very responsive to all our questions. Their agent Alison was incredibly helpful with the house viewing and the application process. She was the most professional agent we have seen in Oxford. She knows the property very well, and can answer to our questions. When she's unsure about certain details, she gets in touch her colleagues and the landlord to confirm and keeps us updated. She also knows our names and the names of the landlord, which I am very impressed. I would highly recommend ScottFraser, especially Alison.

Guopeng Chen

7 days ago

Deposit Protection FAQs

We use government-approved schemes such as the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), MyDeposits, and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). The specific scheme used for your deposit will be clearly communicated to you when your tenancy begins.

Provided there are no disputes and the property is returned in good condition (allowing for fair wear and tear), your deposit will be returned within 10 working days of your tenancy ending. This timeframe may be longer if there are any disagreements about deductions.

Potential deductions include damage beyond normal wear and tear, outstanding rent, missing items listed in the inventory, and cleaning costs if the property is not returned in the same condition as at the start of the tenancy.

If you disagree with any proposed deductions, you can raise a dispute through the deposit protection scheme. They provide a free, impartial dispute resolution service that will consider evidence from both parties before making a final decision.

With our Residency membership, instead of paying a traditional deposit (typically 5 weeks' rent), you pay a smaller monthly fee. This provides the landlord with equivalent protection while reducing your upfront costs when moving into a property.

Everything you need in one place

With connections to mortgage advisors, surveyors, auctioneers and more, we offer clients everything under one roof to make processes quicker and smoother.