Tips on Getting Your Tenancy Deposit Back

Tips on Getting Your Tenancy Deposit Back

Summer is here and it is that time of the year when you’ll be thinking about moving out of your rented flat, house or apartment. Let us help you address the elephant in the room; how do I get my deposit back? Here are a few ideas to help you assess whether it will be a smooth ride or one mountain to climb regarding getting back your tenancy deposit.

Understand Your Tenancy Agreement

Understanding your contract is key in any contractual undertaking, and tenancy is no exception. Read and understand your tenancy agreement with all the terms and conditions before you sign. Once you’ve signed, you are legally bound by the details of the contract. Understanding the important parts like what you are responsible for, what your landlord is responsible for, the terms regarding the deposit, the notice period you need to give, etc. Once you’ve understood these details, you are in a better position to know the procedure for how to get your deposit back.

Check The Inventory 

An inventory is a document that usually contains all the items that are in the property when you move in and their condition. Always carefully check the inventory at the beginning of your tenancy, and if possible, ask the landlord to share a copy with you. This will be useful when you finish your tenancy, as you will be able to see all of the items that are owned by the landlord. Where possible, take photos as backup evidence for yourself, to show how the accommodation looked when you moved in. If any items from the list are missing or damaged, this might have an impact on your deposit.

Make Preparations Ahead Of Time.

Most properties have a time-frame in which you are supposed to give notice of your intention to end your tenancy. For most tenants, it should be at least a month before you move out. This time frame gives you enough time to prepare yourself but also allows the landlord to ensure their property is ready for the next tenant. If this notice period is respected, then your chances of getting your deposit back are higher.

Report Any Kind Of Damage

Try and be as open, honest and communicative with your landlord or letting agent regarding any damages to the property during your tenancy. If it is damage resulting from your negligence, you’ll likely want to repair them and notify the landlord of these repairs. If it is something like a TV antenna falling from the top of the roof, then that is nothing intentionally caused by you and is therefore the landlord’s responsibility. Having constant communication will help you work through any potential issues very quickly.

Pay Off Your Outstanding Rent and Bills

Ensure that all your pending bills are paid up before your tenancy ends. This will give the landlord no chance to hold onto your deposit on the grounds of uncleared rent or bills that relate to the property.

Keep Hold Of All Documents

Any communication and documentation between you and your landlord should be stored safely as you will likely need this for reference when asking for your deposit back. These can include the tenancy agreement, the inventory, photo records and other documents that you might deem crucial. You should keep hold of all these documents at least until you’ve gotten your deposit back.

Understanding Fair Wear and Tear

Ideally, your landlord should not withhold your deposit for fair wear and tear. Examples of fair wear and tear can include faded paint, minor scuffs on the walls, dirty curtains, worn-out carpet on the stairs in a house, etc. Your deposit can only be deducted for actual damage such as broken furniture resulting from negligence or even failure to pay your rent. 

Look After The Property

Take good care of the property. In all fairness, you live in it, so this should be something you do often. Landlords will sometimes use a lack of sufficient cleanliness as one of the reasons for withholding the tenant’s deposit. They claim to use the deposit in restoring the property to a reasonable and rent-worthy condition. To avoid the pain of a withheld deposit, you better take good care of the property, and keep it clean, ventilated and tidy, for yourself and your pocket. 

Be There When The Check-Out Happens

Just like you attended the viewing and inspections, attending the check-out will help you be on the same page with your landlord or letting agent regarding the condition of the property, the damages, the unpaid bills and more. This will also give you a clearer picture regarding the status of your deposit; if there are any cuts to be made to cover damages caused by you or whether you will be getting it back in all its fullness.

If you and your landlord fail to reach an agreement, there are provisions for you to be able to use a free dispute resolution service offered by the deposit protection scheme. They usually ask for evidence from both sides which guides them in making their final decision. If this fails, then either party can choose the option of going to court to resolve the dispute.

Looking for Student Accommodation? Unihousing Can Help!

Here at Unihousing, we have some of the best properties all around Selly Oak with varying prices and sizes depending on whether you want solo or shared living.

Unihousing is a student accommodation provider near the University of Birmingham, operating since 1984. All of our accommodation in Selly Oak is owned by us, so we can respond quickly to any requests using our qualified team of tradesmen. Our property office is located on Bristol Road, only a short walk away from all of our accommodations. This means we can deal directly with our tenants.

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

Contact Unihousing today to find out more!

Why Unihousing Has The Right Student Accommodation For You

Why Unihousing Has The Right Student Accommodation For You

Finding accommodation after you have moved away from home can feel daunting and scary at first. As your student accommodation will be your home away from home, it is crucial to make sure it’s a place where you’ll feel safe and comfortable in. 

At Unihousing, we have something for everyone in our range of properties, and our accommodation offers comfort, style, and function, with a choice of solo or communal living, depending on your preference. We know that choosing accommodation that best suits your wants and needs is very important, so have a look at our top tips on finding the right student accommodation for you! 

1. Have A Budget

It is important to have a working budget from the start so that you know how much you can afford monthly for your student accommodation. Don’t forget to calculate your other expenses such as food, transport, student fees and anything else aside from the cost of the property. Unihousing has affordable accommodation that fits the majority of student budgets. This will leave you with a bit of money to spare, allowing you to be able to afford other necessities. Check out our website to see what properties fit into your budget.

2. Decide On The Type Of Accommodation

Now that you have an idea of a budget, it’s important to figure out what type of accommodation you are looking to stay in. We have a variety of accommodation options ranging from shared flats, houses, studios and apartments which are all well-maintained. If you love the company of others, our shared houses and flats could be a great fit for you. For those who would prefer living independently, it is worth considering our studios and apartments. Once you’ve made your mind up, get in touch with us and our dedicated team will take you through all the necessary steps to getting your accommodation sorted.

3. Accommodation Location

As a student, you would typically want to have accommodation that is not too far away from your university, but also gives you the flexibility to connect to other amenities such as public transport, hospitals, supermarkets and social places. Unihousing has this in mind, which is why our properties in Selly Oak are ideal for most students. All of our accommodation is in a prime location within a short walking distance from the University of Birmingham and Selly Oak train station.

4. Security

Assess the security of where you intend to stay. There will be times when you stay out late, so living in a safe neighbourhood will give you peace of mind knowing you can get home safely. All of our Unihousing properties are located in safe and secure neighbourhoods with CCTV camera surveillance 24/7. You will also find locks located throughout the property and in each tenant’s private bedroom.

 5. Check The Wi-Fi Connection

We understand how vital the internet connection is for a student, with all of the research projects, video chats, social media, emails and more. The ideal accommodation should have reliable, stable and fast internet. We understand that having good Wi-Fi is paramount, which is why we offer a baseline of 100Mb broadband for all of our studios and flats at no additional cost.

 

6. Ask What’s Included In The Rent

It is important to find out what the rent cost includes, as this helps you know how much additional costs may be involved. This information is usually displayed in the advertising, but you can also contact the property managers for these details. Our rent costs at Unihousing include utility bills for most of our properties. This makes the move-in process much easier for students, as they don’t have to worry about setting everything up when they move in.

 

7. Carry Out A Property Inspection Before Committing

Check the state and quality of the property as much as possible. If visiting the property is not a possibility, ask the letting agent as many questions about the property as possible so that you do not end up with a space that does not meet your expectations. Make your choice based on how impressed you are with the property. Luckily, all our properties at Unihousing are clean, well maintained and have a dedicated team of specialists to help with any issues that might come up regarding the property.

8. Understand The Details of The Contract

Important details such as the length of the contract, payment terms, the penalties for delayed payments and deposit refunds are crucial to know before signing the final contract. You might need assistance from anyone who knows more about these things than you do. Also, be sure to ask the landlord or letting agency all the questions you are still unsure of. This will help you avoid any future misunderstandings between you and your landlord.

Looking for Student Accommodation? Unihousing Can Help!

Here at Unihousing, we have some of the best properties all around Selly Oak with varying prices and sizes depending on whether you want solo or shared living.

Unihousing is a student accommodation provider near the University of Birmingham, operating since 1984. All of our accommodation in Selly Oak is owned by us, so we can respond quickly to any requests using our qualified team of tradesmen. Our property office is located on Bristol Road, only a short walk away from all of our accommodations. This means we can deal directly with our tenants.

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

Contact Unihousing today to find out more!