What You Should Know Before Renting

Learn everything you need to know before renting a property with MQ. Understand tenant rights, responsibilities, and costs involved. As well as information on moving in and moving out. Further information is provided on our renting frequently asked questions page.

What You Should Know Before Renting
Responsibilities Moving In / Out Notice Periods : FAQs

Tenant Responsibilities

As a tenant you are responsible for:

  • Deposit: Paying one month's rent as a deposit

  • Rent Payments: Paying rent monthly in advance

  • Bills & Taxes: Paying all utilities & council tax

  • Inspections: Adhering to property inspection schedules

  • Property Care: Ensuring care of property & inventory

  • References & Credit Checks: Ensuring satisfactory approvals

  • Contents Insurance: Insuring your own possessions

Possible Limitations in a Tenancy Agreement

Check your tenancy agreement for limitations of use. Some restrictions may include:

  • Business Use: Running a business from the property is generally not permitted.

  • Pets: Some landlords do not accept pets, or may require additional cleaning costs.

  • Smoking: Smoking indoors may result in liability for redecoration costs.

  • Sharing: Shared occupancy may require additional licensing (HMO).

  • Benefit Recipients: Some landlords' mortgage lenders or insurers may impose restrictions.

Moving In

Your tenancy will be a Scottish Private Residential Tenancy. Signing the agreement usually takes 30-60 minutes. We recommend reading the agreement beforehand so you can get familiar with the details and note down any questions. A copy is available on request.

On your move-in date, we'll arrange an appointment for you to collect your keys or meet us at the property. You'll receive your inventory by email. Within 7 working days, please check it, note anything that may have been missed or needs repair, and let us know.

Moving Out

Your tenancy is a Scottish Private Residential Tenancy, which has no fixed end date and continues until it is brought to an end in the way the law sets out.

If you wish to leave, you must give us at least 28 days' written notice. Your notice period starts on the day we receive your notice. If your tenancy is a joint tenancy, all joint tenants must agree to end it and sign the notice.

Please contact our office if you'd like to discuss your move-out date or the next steps.

Notice Periods: Frequently Asked Questions

No. Your tenancy is a Scottish Private Residential Tenancy, which has no fixed end date. It continues until it is ended in the way the law sets out.

You must give us at least 28 days’ written notice.

It starts on the day we receive your written notice and runs for 28 days from that date.

Only if we agree to it in writing. Please contact us as early as possible if you need to leave sooner and we’ll do our best to help.

Yes. Please email or post your notice to our office, and we’ll confirm that we’ve received it.

Yes. To end a joint tenancy, all joint tenants must agree to end it and sign the notice.

Yes. The 28 days’ notice applies from the start of your tenancy.

A landlord can only end a Private Residential Tenancy for one of the specific reasons set out in Scottish law. They must give you a formal “notice to leave” in writing, which will state the reason. You do not have to leave when the notice period ends. If you stay, the landlord must apply to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland, which decides whether an eviction order is granted.

Contact our office and we’ll be happy to talk you through your options.