moving out 01865 484770 su.advice@brookes.ac.uk
getting ready to move out It’s almost time for your tenancy to end which means you need to start thinking about packing, cleaning and most importantly getting your deposit back. Essentially if you have paid all your rent (and so have your housemates), kept the place clean and not damaged anything, then you should expect to receive it all. However, if not all the rent has been paid, you’ve left the place in a mess and damaged items that were in good condition before, expect to have deductions made. Your landlord cannot make deductions without your permission. If you disagree with what they want to retain, then you can start a dispute with the relevant tenancy deposit scheme. If you don’t
So what needs to be done?
STEP one Plan for the cleaning - it will take at least 2 days! Everyone in the house should be involved. The whole house needs to be cleaned, each room and all the communal areas. If you start this process a few weeks before your tenancy agreement ends, it shouldn’t take too long on the day. Split the cost between you all and it will save you money in the long run!
cleaning checklist: ❏ Clean the windows inside & out or get a window cleaner.
❏ Clean skirting boards, doors, frames & light switches.
❏ Clean the oven inside and out. Use oven
❏ Wash curtains & net curtains or have them dry cleaned if you cannot put them in the machine.
❏ Pull out & clean behind the oven, fridge, washing machine etc. ❏ Clean inside, outside and on top of kitchen cupboards. ❏ Clean tiles & walls in the kitchen as they are porbably greasy. ❏ from the kitchen sink, toilets, shower & bath. ❏ Remove mould from bathroom, showercurtains etc.
❏ Hire a carpet cleaner and do the whole house. ❏ Tidy the garden and get rid of garden waste - this should be put out for collection with your regular recycling. ❏ REMOVE ALL RUBBISH FROM THE HOUSE! You could be charged for removing this or other left items.
STEP two When you moved in, you should have had an inventory check with your landlord. If you didn’t, hopefully you made your own. Dig out that inventory or ask the agent for a copy. Go around the house: • •
Make sure everything is in the right place and that Everything is in the same or better condition - fair, wear & tear is acceptable and the Landlord cannot charge for it damage is not & you will be charged!
Once you are happy that the house is in good order, call the agent & arrange for them to come & do an inventory check out - you need to be there when they do this. Get the agent to sign the inventory check out (if you are happy with it) and keep a copy for yourself.
Take photos to show how good the house and garden look. Make sure they have a date on them and it is obvious which house they came it could come from any house if the carpet is not distinctive - take a wide shot too.
STEP three •
Read all the meters, then contact the utility
•
Remove all of your items from the house including any rubbish
•
Give them a forwarding address for the
•
Return ALL the keys to the agents - they will charge you if you don’t.
•
Get contact details from all your housemates you may need to forward deposits etc
STEP four The Deposit processs Write to your agent asking for repayment of the deposit.
Deductions have been requested
Cheque was returned
If they return it, bank the cheque & that is the end.
Do you agree to the deductions?
No If they want to make deductions and you do not agree, follow the instructions on the facing page.
No
Yes
If they have deducted money for things like, for example, replacing lamp shades, have they provided a Proper Receipt? They cannot make deductions for things they have not done.
Yes
If they want to make deductions and you agree to them, they will return the reduced amount & that is the end.
settling disputes If they want to make deductions and you do not agree, you will need to: • • •
Write to them & explain why you do not accept their deductions Ask for evidence that the work was necessary or for evidence of damage Ask for receipts for all the work they are saying they had to have done, or for items replaced
Don’t get into lengthy discussions with them - some tenancy deposit schemes will not look at your case if it has been 3 months since your tenancy agreement ended. The only option after this would be court, which will cost you. You must try to resolve the issue with the landlord/agent. If you are getting nowhere then contact us for further help. We have a lot of experience in helping students get their deposits back. Please contact us as soon as you can rather than wait and let things drag on!
contact details Oxford Brookes Student Union Advice Centre Email: suadvice@brookes.ac.uk Tel: 01865 484770 Oxford City Council www.oxford.gov.uk HMO Licence Officer 01865 252307 Environmental Health 01865 252 887 Council Tax 01865 252 267 TV Licence 0300 5790 6138 www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo
Brookes Union Advice
01865 484770
su.advice@brookes.ac.uk