Ending Your Tenancy – What Do You Need to Know Before Leaving?
Getting your deposit back at the end of the tenancy is much easier said than done. When renting a property, there are countless hoops you need to jump through. In the UK, it’s common for landlords and letting agencies to take money off the tenant’s deposit. You might have broken a piece of furniture, marked the walls or failed to clean the place properly. However, many tenants contest these charges and aim to get their full deposit back.
Why do some renters fail to get their deposits back?
The landlord or agency can take money from the deposit for a good reason. The deposit is usually the equivalent of five to six weeks’ rent, depending on the cost of your property. Tenants can lose a substantial amount of money through deposit deductions.
Your landlord can take money off your deposit if you owe rent, have damaged the property or lose some of the items in the inventory. You might have put a nail in the wall to hang a picture frame or left a spill on the carpet. Even the smallest of imperfections can result in deposit deductions. You can ask your landlord about the charges and whether you can replace the item yourself instead. You may be able to save money that way.
It’s normal for a property to wear and tear as you live in it. However, your landlord cannot charge you to replace a worn carpet that has been there for years or to redecorate a whole room because there are a few scuff marks. You can’t keep a home pristine all the time – unless you don’t live there at all.
How to end your tenancy without losing your deposit
First up, check through your initial inventory and make sure everything is up to date. You should always take photos of the property when you first move in and note everything on the inventory. For example, there might have been a bump on the ceiling before you even arrived. When you move out, you can take more photos and compare them.
Make sure you understand what counts as fair wear, and tear and do your best to maintain the property over time. You could also look into tenant liability insurance to protect you against deposit deductions. For example, your landlord may charge you for damage to fixtures, and your insurance will cover it. The insurance fee is often smaller than the deposit charge.
Look after your rental property and clean it regularly to minimise the signs of wear and tear. You should leave your rental home in good condition with all of your belongings moved out.
