Ways to Avoid Deposit Disputes When You Leave Your Rental
Are you a tenant?
In this week’s lettings article, we go through ways tenants can clear out their rental at the end of a tenancy to help avoid deposit disputes.
It’s widely recognised that moving house is one of the most stressful (and annoying) life events you can experience.
If you’re nearing the end of a tenancy agreement, there are a few things you can do to ensure your check-out inspection goes well and (upon moving out) you get your tenancy deposit back in full.
In this quick read, we go through ways to make moving out easier for you and your landlord.
- Report issues or breakages early
Let your landlord or managing agent know in advance of any damage that has occurred – whether it’s a broken appliance, damaged furniture or peeling wallpaper. If you give them a heads-up, it can be dealt with, and you can avoid blame.
- Fix problems you’ve caused (if you can)
This applies to issues that can be sorted without needing building work or professional involvement, such as a stain on the carpet or a ripped shower curtain. If you have caused minor issues, get them fixed ahead of time, so you don’t need to worry come inspection time.
- Clear out clutter
Once you’ve packed up all your essentials, there’s bound to be bits and pieces left over. Don’t be tempted to shove them in a cupboard and hide them away. It’s better to dispose of your personal debris than to leave it for someone else to find. Left-over rubbish could affect your deposit, and it’s good manners not to leave it behind.
- Appliance cleaning
When you empty the fridge and freezer, give the shelves/drawers a quick wipe-down. The same applies to the hob and oven. The general cleanliness of the property will be noted in the inspection, so it’s good practice to leave everything as clean as possible. Similarly, give the drains in your bathroom sink, shower and kitchen a clean by removing any hair or blockages.
- Check your tenancy agreement
If your property was professionally cleaned when you moved in, having it cleaned when you move out may be a condition of your contract, so you’ll need to organise an end-of-tenancy clean. A good inspector can tell the difference between a professional and domestic clean, and if it hasn’t been done, your landlord could deduct the cost from your deposit.
- Outside areas
If your rental has outside space, you’ll need to give it a quick tidy, too. Make sure you’ve removed any rubbish, packed up your BBQ and any toys, and left it in the same condition as when you moved in. This includes getting rid of weeds.
If you’re looking for a new rental property, get in touch with the Shaws Kensington letting team today.