Moving out

Don’t miss any crucial steps during your departure that could end up costing you some of your deposit.

Moving-out checklist

□ Check your tenancy agreement

Does your contract have a moving out procedure? Check it and follow the requirements, especially the notice period.

□ Check your inventory

Make note of any damage or changes to the property to ensure you aren’t charged for damage you didn’t cause.

□ Let your landlord or agency know when you are moving out

Contact your landlord/agent to let them know your moving out date. Arrange for them to do a final check to make sure everything is in order.

□ Take photos of the property

Take photos of your property to show the condition you are leaving it in (provide time-stamps, if necessary).

□ Check your meters

Take final meter readings as you leave.

□ Pay your final bills and cancel any contracts

Ensure all your utility bills are paid up until the date you are leaving and inform the providers that you are moving out.

□ Cleaning

Deep clean your property before you move out – it needs to be in the same condition as it was when you moved it.

□ Rubbish

It’s your responsibility to dispose of your rubbish and unwanted items, or you can be charged.

□ Deposit

Your landlord or agency is responsible for returning your deposit. If there are no issues it should be returned to you within 10 days of the end of your tenancy.

Inventory check out and deposits

Check the inventory and ensure that all items are back in their original rooms and that the property is clean. The inventory will be used to assess whether any deductions are made from your deposit.

There is an allowance for ‘fair wear and tear’ which means any marks from normal everyday use is allowed. As long as the property is in the same condition as when you moved in, your deposit will be returned.

Ensure you leave the property in the condition in which it was let to you and check that you have paid your rent and any other expenses.

Attend the ‘check-out inventory’ and only sign the document if you agree with its contents; this will be used to assess any deductions from your deposit.

Deductions

Allowed

• Unpaid rent

• Damage or changes to the property

• Missing items

• Cleaning costs

Deposit disputes

Not allowed

• Fair wear and tear

• Betterment (e.g. charging you costs of property value improvements)

• Charging you for damage that was there before you moved in

It can take time to negotiate the release of a deposit. Deductions from a deposit should be justified and reasonable; negotiate with your landlord or agent.

If your landlord is refusing to refund part or all of your deposit and you disagree with their reasoning, you can take further action. If you need assistance with the return of your deposit or have a Licence Agreement:

• Student Accommodation Office: Sherfield Building

• The Citizens Advice Bureau: citizensadvice.org.uk/housing

• The housing charity Shelter: bit.ly/shelter-helpline

Deposit FAQs

I’m not happy with the proposed deductions, what can I do?

Write to your landlord, your letter should include:

• Which costs you think are unreasonable and why (provide proof)

• The amount you believe should be returned to you

• Request the landlord to send you the list of deductions and costs, if they haven’t already done so

My deposit has not been refunded within 10 days of agreeing the amount?

Write to your landlord requesting that the deposit be returned, the landlord should respond promptly

My landlord has not responded to my letter/email, what do I do?

Write again giving them a deadline within which to respond, eg. 2 days.

What to do if your landlord won’t return your deposit or you cannot reach an agreement?

If the landlord is refusing to co-operate with the scheme to resolve the dispute, you can use the free service offered by your tenancy deposit protection scheme to help resolve the dispute.

The landlord must agree to use the service and once a decision is made, you’re both bound by the verdict.

The landlord must hand over the disputed amount to the scheme for neutral safekeeping until the dispute is resolved. The scheme administrator will divide the disputed amount in accordance with the ADR services or the court’s decision.

More information can be found at: gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection

Where is my deposit protected?

Not sure where your deposit is protected? See page 23 for deposit protection schemes.

Is there a deadline to use the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Yes, it is usually within 90 days of the end of the tenancy. Check the timeline and process you need to use in order to make a claim with the scheme where your deposit is protected.

Taking Court Action

If you are unable to negotiate with your landlord and an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is not available to you, you might consider taking court action.

Warning: This process can be complicated, costly and timeconsuming. Before making a claim, make sure you seek legal advice.

Need help writing your letter?

Shelter England provide useful templates on their website: bit.ly/shelter-letters