Establish a Mandatory Deposit Protection Scheme for Commercial Tenancies in Scotland

Petition :
We, the undersigned, call on the Scottish Government to introduce legislation that requires commercial landlords to lodge tenants’ security deposits in an independent, government-approved deposit protection scheme—similar to the existing system for residential tenancies.

Currently, there is no legal requirement for commercial landlords to protect deposits. This lack of oversight exposes businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to risks such as:

Unfair withholding of deposits at lease end
Lack of independent dispute resolution mechanisms
No accountability for misuse of funds during the lease
By implementing a statutory deposit protection scheme for commercial leases, the Scottish Government can promote fairness, transparency, and trust in the commercial property sector—helping to support the growth and sustainability of local businesses.

We urge the Scottish Parliament to consider this proposal and begin consultations with stakeholders across the commercial property sector.

Why this matters:
Small businesses are vital to Scotland’s economy. They deserve the same protections already afforded to residential tenants. An independent deposit scheme would ensure:

Security for tenants and landlords alike
Transparent handling of funds
A fair dispute resolution process
Proposed Outcomes:

Legislation requiring commercial landlords to protect tenant deposits
The creation or extension of existing schemes (such as SafeDeposits Scotland) to include commercial leases
A clear, legally binding process for resolving disputes over deductions