It is nearly time for tenants to move out of their rented properties before the summer, and the most important thing to a tenant is getting their full deposit back. So how do you get your full deposit back? Here are a few tips on how to achieve this:
1. Clean the house
We can often be lazy and not clean our houses properly, especially students. Let’s be honest, not many of us bother to thoroughly clean our fridges or ovens during the academic year, but the one time when you actually need to do it properly is just before handing your keys over. So get scrubbing, go through all of the places you haven’t touched in a year of living there such as your freezer, oven, carpet and fridge. Or the alternative for the ones that require it is to book a professional cleaning company, which can be costly but means you are more likely to get your deposit back.
2. Take out the rubbish
Once your house is all clean, make sure you take out all of the bin bags as you will get charged if you leave them behind, and it will be deducted from your deposit! It is imperative that all of the furniture you’ve brought into the property leaves with you as they will take your money for it!
3. Go through your inventory
Remember that document you had to sign when moving in that you haven’t thought about since? Well now is the time to check it out. You need to make sure that all of the furniture that you’ve moved rooms since moving in is in good condition and in the right place.
4. Take pictures
As soon as you move into a new home you should take photos of absolutely everything in your house. From the cupboard to the inside of your microwave, it is imperative to have photographic evidence of the state of the property when moving in. As a result, once your property is clean and you’re ready to leave, you can double check the photos to make sure everything is exactly in the same state as when you arrived.
5. Check your tenancy agreement
Make sure you do everything stated in your contract to get your full deposit back. Some letting agencies specifically ask for a professional clean of the property, and some clear instructions are given on how to return your keys. If you follow what the contract says, they are more likely to refund your deposit.
6. Stay on top of your bills
A good tip is taking photos of your gas and electricity meters before you leave so you can prove how much you’ve used and that will avoid problems with your landlord in case he tries deducting unpaid bills from your deposit. It is also good to let bill companies know the end date of your tenancy agreement and change your address for your mail for things like your bank statements, phone company etc. Remember: even if you leave your property before the end of the tenancy, you still have to pay utility bills and council tax until the exact final date. So don’t forget to check which bills you need to pay before leaving so this isn’t taken from your deposit.
7. Keys
Hand back your keys directly back to the landlord or letting agency to make sure you don’t get a key lost in the post which then gets deducted from your deposit. And don’t forget to lock the house!
This article about “Top Tips to get your full deposit back!” was written for Housing Hand – the Award-Winning UK Rent Guarantor Service. For more information on how you can work with Housing Hand, visit housinghand.co.uk or call 02072052625.
