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.
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