How to Lodge a Tenancy Deposit in Scotland: Step by Step

Lodging a tenancy deposit in Scotland means transferring the money to one of three government-approved custodial schemes within 30 working days of the tenancy start date. The process is the same whichever scheme you choose — set up an account, create a deposit record, transfer the funds, and wait for confirmation. Here is the full sequence.

Before You Start

You need three things ready before you log into any scheme portal:

Your landlord registration number. Every Scottish landlord must be registered (or have an active application pending) under Part 8 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 via the Scottish Landlord Register. The scheme portal will ask for this number during account setup.

The tenancy agreement details. You need the tenancy start date, the monthly rent, the exact deposit amount collected, and the date you received the deposit payment.

Tenant contact details. Full name, email address, mobile number, and post-tenancy forwarding address for every named tenant. For joint tenancies, you need these details for each joint tenant individually.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to the portal of your chosen scheme — SafeDeposits Scotland, MyDeposits Scotland, or LPS Scotland. Create a landlord account using a verified email address. Enter your landlord registration number (or confirm that your application is pending) and your contact details.

If you already have an account from a previous tenancy, log in and skip to Step 2.

Step 2: Set Up the Property

Enter the full property address, postcode, and local authority area. If the property is an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation), you'll need your HMO licence number. For a standard PRT, the property address and local authority are sufficient.

Step 3: Create the Deposit Record

Enter the tenancy details:

• Tenancy start date
• Monthly rent amount
• Exact deposit sum received
• Date you received the deposit
• Contact details for all named tenants

The portal generates a unique payment reference — sometimes called a Deposit Account Number (DAN). You'll need this reference for the funds transfer.

Step 4: Transfer the Funds

Transfer the full deposit amount using the payment reference generated in Step 3. Accepted payment methods include Faster Payments, BACS, debit cards, and cleared cheques; check the chosen scheme's instructions for accepted methods.

The funds must be transferred to the scheme's designated account under the exact payment reference. A transfer to your own savings account "earmarked" for the deposit does not constitute lodging.

Step 5: Wait for Confirmation

Once the scheme receives and clears the funds, it issues an electronic Deposit Protection Certificate to both the landlord and the tenant. This certificate confirms:

• The deposit has been placed in a custodial account
• The date of receipt
• The scheme's reference number

Compliance is achieved when the scheme confirms receipt, not when you initiate the transfer. Allow time for the scheme to receive and clear the funds before the 30-working-day deadline.

Step 6: Serve Prescribed Information

The Deposit Protection Certificate is not the prescribed information. Within the same 30 working days, you must separately serve the full Regulation 42 pack on every named tenant. This includes the certificate plus your landlord registration details, the specific tenancy agreement clauses governing deductions, and the official scheme information leaflet.

Common Mistakes

Waiting until the last week. If your bank transfer fails or the payment reference is incorrect, you may not have time to fix it. Start the process in the first week of the tenancy.

Using the wrong payment reference. A transfer without the correct scheme reference may not be matched to your deposit record. The funds sit unallocated while the deadline ticks.

Thinking the portal entry is the lodging. Creating the deposit record on the portal is not lodging. The deposit is lodged when the scheme has the money in its designated account and has confirmed receipt.

Forgetting about joint tenants. If there are three named tenants and you only enter one on the portal, the scheme has incomplete records and your prescribed information service to the other two tenants may be compromised.

For the complete process from deposit collection through to prescribed information service and end-of-tenancy return, the Tenancy Deposits in Scotland guide covers every deadline and document in one place.

See more Scotland guides →