One of the most exciting things about being a student is the excitement of moving each year. But with the thrill of getting a new house comes the not-so-fun parts, including paying your security deposit.
The first thing you need to check is that your deposit is protected through a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. Look carefully on your Tenancy agreement and discuss this with your landlord if you’re not sure. Always remember that you are signing a legally-binding document, and so it needs to be taken seriously.
Your landlord can keep all or part of your deposit to cover things such as damage to the property, missing items, unpaid bills and uncleanliness.
When you move in:
Do a DETAILED inventory
When you move in to either halls of residence or a private house, you will usually be given an inventory to check off. It might be easy to check off every item and get it back to the landlord, but being thorough could save you a lot of time and money in the future. Be rigorous with your checking – any marks, scuffs or broken furniture need to be written down. Even if it’s something seemingly insignificant, you don’t want to be charged for it in the future.
Photograph any damage
Along with the notes in your inventory, make sure you take photos of anything you may be charged for. Doing this means that you have evidence that exempts you from any nasty charges at the end of the contract.
Whilst living at the property
Keep it clean
Keeping a shared student house clean is definitely easier said than done. But if everyone pitches in throughout the year, then there won’t be such a need for a mammoth clean when you come to leave. Consider drawing up a cleaning rota. Your housemates may not love you for it, but they’ll appreciate it when they’re getting all of their deposits back.
Be careful
As well as keeping clean, tenants should always be cautious. Of course some accidents are inevitable, but they can be minimized by cautiousness. And the avoidance of any luminous-coloured drinks near carpets.
Keep your landlord in the loop
Communication is key. Should anything need repairing, get in contact with your landlord. It is their responsibility to keep the house in good working order, and they should be happy to do any repairs for you.
When you’re moving out
Have a mega clean
Hopefully if you’ve been a neat freak throughout the year this one won’t apply. But for most of us, a mega cleaning sesh at the end of the year will be necessary. If you’re rigorous, you know that your landlord doesn’t need to call in an army of cleaners to clear up after you.
Don’t leave anything
Stories of students leaving gifts for landlords (i.e. a bottle of wine) and then getting charged for sound rather ridiculous, but they do happen. Better to ditch any well-meaning leftovers and chuck it all.
Check out with your landlord
Once you arrange an appointment with your landlord to hand keys back, they can get the ball moving by filling out a Joint Deposit Repayment form.
Written By Sarah Davis