You’re about to move out of your property which means you’ll soon be starting the deposit repayment process. To give yourself the best chance of getting your deposit back, here are some simple steps you can take.
Check your tenancy agreement and inventory
Your tenancy agreement and check-in inventory will form the basis of your landlord or letting agent’s expectations about the condition of the property when you move out. Reviewing these will give you an indication of what you need to address before the check-out. This may be to put right any damage to the property, or terms that must be met such as keeping the garden tidy. If you can’t find your tenancy agreement or inventory, ask your landlord or letting agent for a copy.
Speak to your landlord or letting agent
Make sure you let your landlord or letting agent know that you want to move out of the property. You’ll also need to agree how your deposit will be repaid, so if there’s something you think could be a problem, it’s a good idea to talk this through with them first.
Make sure you attend the check-out
The check-out is one of the most important events in a tenancy. It’s a chance for you and your landlord or letting agent to review the condition of the property, agree any deposit deductions and gather evidence to support a claim.
Your landlord or letting agent should invite you to the check-out and hold it at a time and date when you’re free. If it goes well, and there's an open and honest discussion about the deposit, then it's likely everyone will feel that they've had a fair outcome. If the check-out is poor, or you don’t attend, disagreements about how the deposit should be distributed are far more likely to arise.
Where possible, you should try to make sure you attend the check-out. Note your landlord’s comments about the property condition and if they disagree with anything during the process. This will help when discussing deductions. Communication at this early stage is really important when trying to resolve issues.