Moving on: Make sure you get your deposit back

For many of you, the end of semester will bring the end of your tenancy and you will no doubt be looking forward to getting your deposit back. So to make sure that your move out goes a smoothly as possible here’s some handy advice on deposit return, and where to get support if you need it.

Leave your house in tip top condition

First up, student content creator Aidan has some great advice to make sure you get your deposit back:

In summary,

Take meter readings again and let the suppliers know that it’s the last day of your tenancy.
Check your inventory and take any necessary photos.
Remember, it’s up to you to replace light bulbs and fluorescent tubes.
Clean and tidy the property or you may be billed for the cleaning
Take all your belongings with you, or make sure any unwanted items are responsibly dispose of – recycle and donate your pre-loved things where you can, take a look at how we’re making it easy with Give it don’t bin it.
Don’t stay longer than you should and remember to return your keys on time.
Take a look at this end of tenancy checklist from Manchester Student Homes which will help you make sure you’ve done everything you need to before you move out.

Understand how deposit returns work

Your deposit should be protected in an independent deposit protection scheme and it should be given back to you at the end of your contract. If your landlord does want to make a deduction from your deposit, they need to inform you in writing within 28 days of the end of tenancy and they need to give you a detailed breakdown of what they are deducting and why you are liable to pay for it.

If you don’t agree with what they want to charge you, speak to your landlord to see if you can reach an agreement about how much should be deducted. If that doesn’t work, you can raise a dispute with your deposit protection scheme and they may offer an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service.

Check out Manchester Student Homes guide to getting your deposit back and remember you can contact them if you need any help and advice about your end of tenancy arrangements and how getting your deposit back should work.