As we close in on the end of the college and university period, students are prepping for exams, planning their summer, and then it’s time to pack up any belongings and move out.
So, what things should you be considering at the end of your tenancy?
1. Read your tenancy agreement
Your tenancy agreement will outline the key parts and conditions to your tenancy. This should give you a good idea of what’s expected of you during the tenancy itself.
2. Use your inventory and take photos
Most landlords usually arrange for an inventory to be taken before you move in. This is a key part of your deposit as it acts like evidence relating to the state of your property at a fixed point. You should have seen this document and would likely have received a copy too.
It’s also worth taking some photos of the property before you leave to help prevent any come backs.
3. Check your receipt for the deposit you paid
A deposit would have been taken before you moved in and you should have received confirmation of this being paid. Providing your property is in good order you’re likely to receive the deposit back.
Having the proof of how much you paid (which is often part of your tenancy agreement too) can help prevent disagreements when it comes to claiming it back.
Remember - deposits for Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) should be placed into a deposit protection scheme. These schemes are here to help in the event of a dispute.
4. Stop any utility bills
You may have had your own phone line or broadband, even if it’s shared with other tenants. Don’t forget to let these companies know you’re moving out and no longer require their services.
5. Clean
The cleanliness of a property is one of the biggest causes of disputes - don’t let it be one for you.
Check the property, make sure it’s in a good order. Just putting the cleaner around isn’t likely to be enough - think bigger. From dusting to cleaning the cooker and oven, check everything is in good state.
6. Replace anything that’s been damaged
If you’ve broken anything during your tenancy it’s not going to be covered by your landlord and will probably be a cause of a deposit dispute. If you’ve broken it, replace it.
7. Arrange a visit with your landlord
Before you vacate the property, reach out to your landlord and ask them to do a walk through with you. This shows that not only are you being open and honest, but it gives you a chance to put right any wrongs before you finally leave.
8. Check, check, and check again
Check all your storage areas and make sure you’re not leaving anything behind. You could even ask someone else to do this for you, just to be sure.
It’s also a good way to check you haven’t left anything out - damage, missing items or other issues.
Onwards and upwards
Your deposit is often put away in a protection scheme and forgotten about, so it can be a nice little surprise to get this back.
Keep everything in your order and hopefully there’ll be no issues getting yours back.