🏡 What to Do When Your Tenant Gives Notice: A Step-by-Step Guide for Landlords in Scotland

Sean McMahon
Oct 21
4 min read

When a tenant gives notice, it can trigger a lot of questions for landlords — especially if you’re unsure what comes next, what legal steps you must follow, or how to minimise any rental void.

Whether you self-manage or work through an agent, understanding the process helps protect your income, your property, and your compliance obligations.

Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide — and where The Property Experts can help at every stage.

1️⃣ Confirm the Notice in Writing

Under the Private Residential Tenancy (PRT) in Scotland, tenants must give a minimum of 28 days’ written notice to end their tenancy (unless you agree to a shorter period).

Once you receive it:

Acknowledge in writing — confirm the date notice was received and the final tenancy end date.
Check it’s valid — notice must come from all named tenants and be clear in intent.
Notify your letting agent (if applicable) immediately if the notice came direct to you.

🟢 When to contact The Property Experts: As soon as notice is received — even informally — get in touch. Early notice allows us to:

Line up re-marketing and viewings while the tenant is still in situ (with proper notice).
Begin compliance audits (EICR, PAT, Gas Safety, EPC, Legionella).
Advise on rent level adjustments for the new tenancy and provide you with a comprehensive report on market rents.

2️⃣ Check Rent Payments and Deposit

Before planning the re-let, ensure the account is balanced.

Confirm final rent payment aligns with the notice period.
Cross-check arrears or overpayments.
Ensure the tenancy deposit is still correctly registered with an approved scheme (SafeDeposits Scotland, MyDeposits, or Letting Protection Service Scotland).

Your agent should also confirm any deductions (for damage, cleaning, etc.) comply with deposit-scheme rules. It is important to get this in writing at every step of the way.

3️⃣ Arrange the End-of-Tenancy Inspection

This is where many landlords make costly mistakes.

You must carry out a thorough check-out inspection, ideally comparing against the original inventory and mid-term reports. It is advisable to get an independent inventory clerk to carry out this inspection.

What to check:

Cleanliness and condition (walls, floors, appliances).
Keys, fobs, and meter readings.
Furniture (if furnished).
Compliance with smoke alarms and CO detectors.

🟢 The Property Experts advantage:

We use detailed photo inventories and digital check-out reports to avoid disputes and speed up deposit release. We’ll also provide a full maintenance summary, highlighting what’s essential, optional, or value-adding before re-letting.

4️⃣ Manage the Deposit Return

Within 30 working days of tenancy end, you (or your agent) must submit the proposed deposit deductions to the tenancy deposit scheme.

If there’s agreement, funds are released quickly. If not, the scheme’s dispute resolution process decides.

Common deductions that stand up:

Excess cleaning or damage beyond fair wear and tear.
Missing items from the inventory.
Rent arrears or unpaid utilities (if in landlord’s name).

🟢 Remember — The deposit protection scheme do not charge if there is a dispute resolution. We are aware of some letting agents charging landlords 'admin fees' at this stage.

5️⃣ Safety & Compliance Refresh

Before any new tenant moves in, the property must be legally compliant. This includes:

✅ EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) – valid for 5 years.

✅ PAT testing – yearly for portable appliances.

✅ Gas Safety Certificate – annual if gas is installed.

✅ Legionella risk assessment – recommended every 2 years.

✅ Smoke/heat alarms – interlinked and tested.

✅ EPC rating – plan ahead for changes in legislation.

🟢 Our compliance team can inspect, test, and certify all of the above — often within 48 hours — to make sure your property is ready to market again. In some fixed term tenancy options you may be required to fit window restrictors, and obtain an asbestos report.

6️⃣ Preparing for Re-Let

The best time to re-let a property? Before the current tenant moves out.

With their permission, your agent can start marketing immediately to minimise voids.

We’ll:

Refresh marketing photography (or fully retake if upgraded).
Update your advert across Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket and our own network.
Suggest rental price adjustments in line with current Edinburgh, EH6, EH7, or surrounding-area averages.
Arrange accompanied viewings and feedback reports.

🟢 When to call us: As soon as notice is given — this ensures your property never sits empty longer than necessary. If you're currently with another agent, this does not matter and we can get your property on the market usually within 24 hours.

7️⃣ Maintenance & Upgrades

Use the changeover period to carry out:

Minor redecoration (paint touch-ups, caulking).
Appliance servicing.
Carpet or floor cleaning.
Simple upgrades such as thermostatic valves or LED lighting to boost EPC rating.

🟢 We can project-manage the works through our network of vetted contractors at trade rates — saving time and hassle.

8️⃣ Re-Let, Reference, and Renew

Once your property is ready:

We’ll re-advertise, handle tenant referencing, and issue a new Private Residential Tenancy (PRT) agreement.
We’ll update all safety documents in your landlord file and register your new tenancy deposit.
You’ll receive new tenant details, financial statements, and compliance certificates at move-in.

💬 Final Thoughts

When a tenant gives notice, it’s not a setback — it’s an opportunity to refresh, review, and re-let smarter. Handled properly, there’s no reason to suffer long voids or compliance worries.

At The Property Experts, we make this process seamless: