Ensuring you get your FULL housing deposit back!

Ensuring you get your housing deposit back in full

It’s the end of your student letting period and it’s time to move out. When you leave, you’ll have the opportunity to get your initial deposit back.

Providing you don’t damage anything, you should be able to get back the full amount. However, there are a few conditions that’ll help keep hassle to a minimum. Here are some tips from Newcastle based lettings agency letslivehere to ensure you get your deposit back.

Take inventory

When you first move in, pay close attention to the inventory you should be given by your landlord or agent. Take pictures of the property. When it’s time to move out, check the items in the inventory are all in good working order and replace them if necessary. Your property should be returned in as close to its original state as possible to match the original photos.

Fittings

You may be surprised to learn that your landlord is not responsible for lightbulbs and other minor maintenance items like smoke alarm batteries. When it’s time to leave, ensure you replace any broken light bulbs and put a new battery in the smoke alarm so that they’re in the same condition as when you left it.

Cleaning

Once it’s time to move out, you’ll need to do the most extensive clean you’ve done so far on your property to return it to its original condition. You’ll need to wash the following areas:

• Skirting boards.
• Doors.
• Window frames.
• Sockets and switches.
• Inside and outside of any appliances you leave in the property.
• Inside and outside of cupboards — pay particular attention to the back of cupboards which can attract dirt over time and go unnoticed.
• Sanitise bathrooms and kitchens with anti-bacterial solutions.
• Clean all worktops and countertops.
• Clean and polish all woodwork and surfaces in the kitchen, bedrooms and living rooms.
• Sweep and wash all floors.

Consider a pre-move landlord check

It isn’t uncommon for tenants to invite a landlord to their premises for an early inspection to point out anything they’re unhappy with. This gives you time to fix things before you move out so they can’t subtract from your deposit.

Fight off damp

While dampness is often not your fault, you should still try and combat it at all costs. Use a dehumidifier if your landlord will provide one or try and leave the heating on for an hour a day. Don’t leave washing in unventilated rooms and clean any damp patches with diluted bleach or a fungicidal wash.