Raise any issues with the property at Check-In
It’s common to be high on emotion when moving house, and comparing your Check-In Inventory against the condition of the property is perhaps the last thing on your mind. However, it’s important to raise any problems regarding the property’s condition, cleanliness or maintenance issues within the first few days of moving-in. For example, if the report noted that the extractor cooker hood was working, but when checked, you noticed it wasn’t, you will need to raise that point straight away. Raising this issue promptly means it can be flagged for repair early within the tenancy. In turn, fixing an issue like this can reduce the build-up of grease and perhaps avoid an unnecessary dispute about condition and cleanliness when you move out.
Understand what is expected at Check-Out
If you understand what is expected at Check-Out right from the start, this gives you some guidance on how you should leave the condition and cleanliness of the property when the tenancy ends. For example, if it states on the Check-In report that the oven was professionally cleaned, then it is expected that you leave the oven in the same cleanliness when you Check-Out. If you are unsure, ask your agent or landlord.
Understand your tenancy agreement
Sometimes tenancy agreements are signed without being reviewed in detail. Although it’s a busy and stressful time, take a moment to read all the clauses in your agreement. For example, it may be the case that the agreement states no pets are allowed in the property during your tenancy, or that clauses must be met for them to be permitted. If you’re unsure of anything, don’t be afraid to ask your landlord or agent.
Raise any issues mid-tenancy so there are no surprises at check-out
Raising issues mid-tenancy as they occur allows for issues to be rectified before they get worse. If you don’t raise these issues until the end of the tenancy, then the landlord or agent may hold you responsible as the issue may have been fixed earlier in the tenancy.
Don’t leave anything behind
You might think that leaving clothes or furniture behind is a beneficial thing for the landlord, but they may be deemed as unwanted goods. This would mean the landlord would have to hire someone to clear the property of the items you have left behind. Even if the items left behind are small, a standard call out fee may be applied, which could be deducted from your deposit.
Top 5 avoidable deposit deductions
1. Light bulbs
As a tenant you’re required to ensure that all light bulbs that were working when you moved-in are working when you move-out. Don't leave this to your landlord or agent to resolve after you’ve left. The day before you vacate (or even that morning) replace all blown light bulbs yourself for a fraction of the cost. Light bulbs are inexpensive, but landlords and agents will often instruct a contractor to manage works on their behalf. Call-out fees, even for something like changing a bulb, can be costly.
2. Mould on the bathroom & kitchen sealant
If the sealants around your bathroom and kitchen appliances and surfaces are always kept clean and dry, then no mould will occur. If mould does occur, it can easily be treated with some tissue paper and thick bleach. This is NOT normal 'wear & tear' and can easily be avoided or treated. If you cause the sealants to go mouldy during your tenancy and do not address this, the likelihood is that your landlord or agent will charge you to have these removed and re-sealed. This can cost anything from £50 to several hundred pounds, but can easily be avoided at little or no cost to you at all.
3. Personal effects
All too often, tenants vacating a property will leave behind personal items that are no longer wanted. Unless you have specific consent from the landlord, agent and/or incoming tenant to leave behind items, these will need to be removed from the property. It is your responsibility to take all your personal effects with you from clothes to furniture to food and consumables in the kitchen. Take it with you or dispose of it responsibly.
4. Rubbish
Filling black bins bags with rubbish and leaving them outside the property when you leave won’t be accepted. It’s not fair for the new tenants to arrive to this, or considerate to neighbours, and it’s likely to break rules in your tenancy terms. You must either take this to the local recycling centre or organise for a professional waste company to collect it. If not, the landlord or agent will likely engage professional waste services to remove it which could cost you £100 or more. Don’t take the risk.
5. Cleaning
Almost every tenancy agreement requires that you return the property 'as it was at the start of the tenancy' or 'cleaned to a professional standard'. Whilst you cannot be forced to use a professional cleaning service, if you do choose to do this yourself you must deliver a standard of clean that is equivalent. Whilst you may feel you have cleaned the property to this standard (or even better) ,all that matters is what is stated about the condition and cleanliness in your Inventory and/or Check-In report. If that report says the kitchen cupboards were spotless (but you recall them being greasy and sticky inside when you moved in), it is the report that is taken as the standard, not your recollection. This is why Inventories & Check-In reports exist. Make sure they are accurate when you move-in so that you can match that standard when you move out.