If you are leaving your shared house at the end of the tenancy there’s some important things to know and more importantly TO DO!
Landlords will have specified certain arrangements for when you leave the house and its important to read the tenancy agreement so that you know what you need to do.
There’s some general things you are likely to need to do – this is a useful prompt to remind you to read the tenancy agreement and do the right thing! Your deposit may be at risk if you don’t.
Top tips
Leave enough time…ensure there is sufficient time allowed for planning and doing what needs to be done at the end of the tenancy.
Cleaning will need to be finished…. Think carefully about all the things/areas that need to be cleaned. Who’s going to clean what and when? Avoid leaving cleaning till the last minute – some things will have to be cleaned on the last day but most things can be cleaned in advance of leaving. Plan the work and check progress against the planned list of work to be done!
· The whole house needs to be thoroughly cleaned, including dusting down skirting boards and removing cobwebs.
· The bathroom and shower room should be cleaned and all limescale removed from shower screens, taps etc.
· Toilets need to be cleaned and free of limescale.
· Mattress protectors where present should be washed and left folded on the beds or hanging inside to dry.
· If the tenancy agreement requires you to maintain the gardens, the front and back gardens should be clear of rubbish and weeds.
· The fridge and freezer should be emptied and cleaned but left switched on.
· The oven needs to be cleaned.
· The dishwasher needs to be cleaned – including the filter.
· The seal around the washing machine door needs to be cleaned.
It may be a good idea to photograph all areas of the house and appliances once you’ve finished cleaning to capture what the property looks like immediately before you leave. This might help in case there any disagreements with the landlord.
Get on top of the rubbish early…There will be rubbish which will need to be removed and stuff you don’t want to take with you.
· It may be helpful to start putting out a little extra rubbish each week or two weeks in the weeks running up to when you actually leave.
· Remember the bins aren’t all going to be collected at the same time and you can only put a certain amount of rubbish out.
· Make sure recycling is dry and loose in the bin and waste bins are left clean!
· Take to the Council recycling centre stuff you don’t want or ask charity shops/food banks if they would like anything of value or unopened and non-perishable food.
· Recycle what you can.
This all takes time to plan and do. No rubbish/stuff should be left in the house when you leave – nothing that’s not on the inventory should be left in the house!
It would be helpful if you let the landlord know of any repairs that you are aware need to be done. Any repair/replacement costs may be deducted from the deposit.
Lastly, the certificate(s) from the university that gave you exemption from council tax usually have an end-date earlier than the end of June so you will owe a few weeks of council tax. Please contact the District Council and arrange for this to be paid.
If you have any questions please do contact
Hazel Aldington, Assistant Accommodation Officer – Private Sector Housing at Bognor Accommodation Office on 01243 812149 or on 07773 426277 (Monday and Wednesdays only).