Making Sure You Get Your Tenancy Deposit Back
Many of our tenants worry that they may not get their tenancy deposit back once their tenancy agreement, and this is a particular worry given that people rely on this for a deposit for their next move.
Your security deposit is essentially your money, it’s just being held as an insurance for your landlord, and they have an obligation to return this at the end of the lease.
Here are our tips to ensure that your deposit is returned to you in full:
Stay informed
When you sign the tenancy agreement, make sure you read it carefully and are aware of your obligations whilst you are in the property. For example, you may be required to maintain the gardens whilst you are there, and if you fail to do this, the cost could be deducted from your deposit. So stay informed and take steps to meet your requirements.
Take care of the property
When you move in, take precautions to avoid any damage to the property. This includes small things like not drilling the walls to hang pictures, not using sticky tape that can remove paintwork and wallpaper, and using furniture coasters to make sure you don’t mark the floors. If your property has carpet or wooden flooring, make sure you remove your shoes in the home to avoid any dirt or grit. Make sure any spillages are cleaned up and marks removed immediately, otherwise you could damage the carpet, wood or laminate flooring. If you do damage anything or cause any breakages to fixtures and fittings report it to your letting agent and replace them as you go along rather than waiting until the end when money could be deducted from your deposit.
Keep a record
Fair wear and tear can be subjective. Therefore, document everything when you arrive and take photographs so you have a comparison in case you feel that you are leaving the property in a similar condition and your landlord feels that you are not. You could even take a video walkthrough when you first move in and move out should you have a case to answer.
Keep notes of each time you have contacted your property manager to report maintenance problems, and try to report everything via email so that you have a record.
Leave the property clean and tidy
Try and do a deep clean before you leave the property to make sure it is in sparkly, rental-ready condition. This includes cleaning fixtures and fittings such as light switches, door frames and more. If your tenancy agreement states that it needs to be professionally cleaned, keep your service receipt as proof for your landlord.
Don’t move out before your roommates if you can’t trust that they will leave the property in good condition, because you will be liable for any costs. Similarly, make sure that if they go before you, you aren’t left lumbered with the deep cleaning and any repairs.
Ask for an inspection before you move
By having an unofficial inspection by the landlord, you will know what needs fixing, repairing and extra cleaning. After all it’s better to know in advance rather than lose your deposit after the tenancy agreement has ended and you are no longer to access the property. It will give you a chance to rectify any problems, and will give your landlord confidence that you are willing to leave the property in great condition before you move.
Clyde Property is a leading independent, multiple award-winning estate and letting agent with more than 30 years’ experience in selling and letting property in Scotland. Just call your local Clyde Property branch today for friendly, impartial advice on finding your next dream home.
