Like most students I'm not winding down for the year and packing my stuff away ready to leave university so when Lets Live Here who are based in Newcastle contacted me with some tips on how to ensure you all get your deposit back I was keen to share!
It’s the end of another year and you’re ready to move out of your flat. You’re packed up and then you’re out of there – ready for summer! Then the bomb drops – your landlord or letting agent isn’t giving back all of your deposit. You’re now out of pocket and angry.This is a problem many students and even young professionals encounter when renting property. Some student letting agents are notorious for taking away chunks of a deposit for the smallest of things. Here are some top tips to avoid losing out from Newcastle agency Lets live here.
Ensure your deposit is protected by a third party
Landlords and letting agents alike should be placing your deposit in a third party protection scheme. This ensures that any subtraction from the initial amount must be agreed to by both the landlord/agent and yourself.
Be stringent with the initial inventory check
When you first move in to a property, you’ll be shown around and walked through the inventory or a similar sheet that denotes the condition of the property. You should be actively looking for anything that isn’t listed on the inventory and having it noted down.
The better landlords allow you to take the inventory away and return it later, having checked the condition thoroughly. Even a slight crack on a wall behind a cupboard is worth noting down.
Take photos of the flat on your first day
Make sure you take lots of photographic evidence of the condition of the flat. These are invaluable if any disputes arise when it’s time to move out. As long as you return the property to its original condition (which you can back up with photos), you should have no trouble.
Find out the master paint colour
In the general wear and tear and get-togethers you’re bound to have in a student property, the walls may get damaged. After washing them down, you still can’t seem to get the stain off? Match the paint and add a fresh lick to the walls.
Protect any carpets and stainable surfaces
When you first move in, invest in rugs or door mats to protect carpeted areas. You’ll probably be drinking in the flat, so try to keep darker liquors and red wine away from the carpet.
By the time your tenancy is up, make sure you thoroughly hoover any carpet areas and wash any soiled areas with warm soapy water or a specialist carpet cleaner.
Replace any lightbulbs
It’s easy to forget about lightbulbs or to assume it’s the landlords responsibility to replace them, but it’s actually down to the tenant. Replace any broken bulbs and save yourself being charged over the odds for them.
Clean everything!
When it’s time to leave, ensure all of the appliances and bits of furniture that came with the flat have been cleaned down to the best of your ability. Wipe all surfaces, hoover up and bleach the toilet. Even if you don’t get it back to its original condition, a landlord will appreciate the effort.
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