You will normally need to pay a deposit as well as your first month's rent in advance to the landlord. The deposit is money paid to a landlord (or letting agency) at the beginning of a tenancy as security against things like rent arrears, damage to property or removal of furniture by a tenant. A deposit must never be more than a sixth of the annual rent (e.g. 2 month’s rent). It normally tends to be the same amount as 1 month's rent. If you have no rent arrears at the end of your tenancy and your property is in the same condition as you found it, you should have your deposit returned to you in full.
Highland Deposit Guarantee Scheme
There is rent deposit guarantee scheme operating in the Highlands which provides, in place of a deposit, a guarantee that if something happens, your landlord gets their money back from the scheme. The scheme has been set up to enable people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness to access accommodation in the private rented sector.
The scheme will give a landlord a letter of guarantee to the value of the tenancy deposit. This will enable the tenant to pay the deposit direct to the landlord by instalments over the first 6 months of the tenancy. The Council will then withdraw its letter of guarantee.
The scheme is unable to assist with rent in advance.
Further information about the scheme can be found in the Highland Deposit Guarantee Scheme - Questions and Answers for Private Landlords and Applicants
Additional information and applications can be made by contacting The Highland Council Homeless Prevention Team at homeless.prevention@highland.gov.uk or by telephone on 01463 703824
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