Moving house is always stressful with so much to organise, but the last thing you want is to lose some of your deposit on something you could have avoided during the moving out process. There is a lot to plan when moving house, from contracts to removal vans and end of tenancy cleaning. Our top tips will help ensure it’s a smooth process, and that most importantly, your landlord is happy. Here’s how to make sure you get your deposit back:
1. Review your contract
Even if you haven’t been renting your property for a long time, it can be easy to forget the terms of your contract. Make sure you take some time to review the details, including your notice period.
If you are in breach of your notice or initial fixed contract period, you may have to pay some additional rental fees, so make sure you factor this in when notifying your landlord of your plans to move. Try to give your landlord as much notice as possible to make it even easier for them to find new tenants.
2. Check the inventory
It can be helpful to ask your landlord if they have an inspection checklist they can share with you, so you can also go through it and check off everything they will want to look over when you move. You should also have a copy of the inventory that was made when you moved in, so you can check that everything that came with the house is left behind.
3. Make simple repairs
Ideally, when you first moved in you will have taken photos of the property, including any pre-existing damage or wear and tear, so it’s clear these issues existed before you moved in.
If you have damaged anything in the property and are able to make the repair safely, it’s good etiquette to do so and you could avoid a hefty bill from your landlord. If there is damage that requires a professional to fix it, then honesty is the best policy. Make a note of what the damage is and accept you may have to pay for the repair yourself.
4. Do a deep clean
It’s crucial to leave the property as you found it (or sometimes, even better than how you found it!). Take time to give the property a really thorough domestic clean and start as early as you can to spread out the workload. For example, as you pack away your kitchen equipment and crockery, give the cupboards a good clean on the inside and outside so you’re ticking things off as you go.
It can be worth making a checklist for each room as you’ll be surprised at how many things need to be thought of! Here are some starting points:
• Kitchen: remember to clean your fridge, oven, cupboard and any other appliances that came with the property.
• Bathroom: you will need to ensure it is completely sparkling with no limescale or watermarks lingering.
• Carpets: just running the hoover round quickly won’t cut it. At the very least, use a carpet shampoo to lift any stains and get them fresh, or consider hiring a proper carpet cleaner.
• Garden/exterior: don’t forget the exterior of the property. If you have grass or a yard, make sure it’s recently been mowed or tidied and that everything looks presentable.
5. Get a second opinion
When you have finished preparing your property for your move, ask a family member or friend to pop round with fresh eyes to see if they can spot anything obvious that your landlord could charge you for. It is also worth taking photos of each room once you’re finished, in case you need to contest any cleaning or repair charges.
If you’re overwhelmed at the thought of getting a deep clean completed whilst trying to move, it’s well worth paying a professional domestic cleaning company who will ensure that your property is absolutely spotless and will also know what your landlord is looking out for. The initial cost will also most likely save you money as our expert end of tenancy cleaners will help ensure you get that all-important full deposit back!
If you need a quote for end of tenancy cleaning, contact the team today.
