Learning all the ins and outs of renting can be tricky when you’re first starting out. There are lots of things to consider, but one thing you won’t want to forget about is your security deposit. If everything goes smoothly, you should get your deposit back in full at the end of the renting period, but there are a few things that can prevent this. Here are some tips to make sure that you don’t run into any issues getting your deposit back.
Read Your Contracts
It’s not the most fun activity to do, but it’s important to read all the fine print of your tenancy agreement to know what’s expected of you and what’s expected of your landlord. Your tenancy agreement will have the details of everything you need to do to look after the property while it’s in your custody. If you have any questions or concerns about what’s written in the agreement, let your landlord or letting agency know.
Own Up To Any Accidents
When you’re living in a property for an extended period of time, it’s only natural that damage will happen at some point. Maybe somebody spills their drink and stains the carpet, or one of the doors comes off its hinges. When these things happen, don’t panic. The best thing to do is talk to your landlord about the situation directly. If you leave it until you move out and hope they don’t notice, it’s much more likely to come out of your deposit.
See also: How To Remove Window Condensation From Your Home
Keep Up On Your Maintenance
There are certain things that need upkeep in a house. Make sure you stay on top of changing lightbulbs, looking after the garden, and keeping the house ventilated to prevent condensation.
Give It A Good Clean
Make sure that you’re cleaning the house regularly. In the kitchen, wipe down the hob as often as possible to prevent buildup and clean the inside of your oven and microwave. In the bathroom, don’t neglect to clean your toilet and scrub down your shower to prevent limescale build up. Give your house one final, thorough clean before you move out. This can be key when working out how to get your security deposit back.
Know Your Rights
If you’ve done everything you can to uphold your end of the agreement, it’s important that your landlord does the same. If your landlord is taking money out of your deposit for something that doesn’t track with how you left the house, ask them why they’re taking the money and how they worked out the cost. If you can’t resolve the issue this way, you can either resolve the dispute with the deposit protection service or go to small claims court if your deposit isn’t protected.
See also: Five Things To Do When Moving Into A New University House
