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.

Best Student Places To Live | Advice

One of the hardest things about university is deciding where to live. Do you live at home and commute? Do you live in halls? Do you live in a shared house? Or do you live on your own? Where I study is too far to commute from home, but I've given the other three a fair shot in my three years of studying. If you're a first or second year, you're probably thinking about where you're going to I've next year which isn't an easy feat, but I want to help you consider things you might’ve never thought of before. 

Halls

Most first year students end up in halls, simply because they don't know anybody. In my first year I was thrown in with five people I'd never met before and was forced to live with them for nine months. I got on swimmingly with some of them, whereas I could not see eye to eye with others. One thing I will say is for the most part, I didn't have to worry about people taking my food (everyone's biggest nightmare when they move into halls), other than in one instance and it wasn't even that big of a deal. In general, I really enjoyed my time in halls because my friends were living in the same area, and everyone was in the same boat.

Pros: You meet so many new people, most people are new to the area, usually close to uni, always somebody to talk to.

Cons: Very little control over who you live with, tends to be party central (this could be a pro I suppose)

Halls is probably your best choice if you new to the area, or want to keep lots of friends nearby. 

Shared House

This is how most people spend the rest of their university life. You often move in with people you've met in first year, whether that be flatmates or coursemates. I lived with two flatmates, one of their coursemates and a complete stranger (luckily she was lovely) in my second year. However, I was expected to be a family unit with these people and it wasn't what I wanted. Living in a house where you have equal responsibility for everything as opposed to just looking after your own things like in halls can lead to some intense arguments. 

Pros: You know who you're living with, more freedom, often the cheapest option

Cons: Bathroom sharing (most halls have an en suite nowadays), dodgy landlords, probably further from campus

A shared house is a good option for anybody looking for more freedom and wants to keep their close friends close. 

Living alone:

Due to most of my friends being on placement and leaving finding a house very late last year, I decided to look into living alone. I found a flat close to my university which is conveniently only a five minute walk from my boyfriend's so I know I always have someone to see. I love not having to answer to anybody and can go to bed at 8pm without feeling guilty for not socialising with people. 

Pros: No answering to anybody, your mess is your own mess, never being judged for weird habits

Cons: Have to make an effort to see people, more expensive, everything is your responsibility (I guess this could be a pro too)

Living alone is only good for people who like their own company. If you crave attention, don't even think about it because it can sometimes feel quite lonely. 

Your living situation is entirely down to you, and people choose different laces for a number of different reasons. My advice is to check your finances to see what you can afford, and make a judgement based on what is right for you. I know so many people who wouldn't want to live alone, but I also know people who would find living with others uncomfortable. It's a totally personal preference.