Moving out is a fairly complex process which, alongside the next step of moving into your new home, can be stressful. Our useful guide provides hints are tips to help make the process as smooth as possible.
Giving notice
You need to give appropriate notice of your intention to vacate the property, in line with the terms of your tenancy agreement. If you’re unsure, you can contact Property Management to confirm how long this needs to be.
End of tenancy form
Once we have received notice we will send a form to be completed by all tenants listed on the Tenancy Agreement. This form will ask for your forwarding address and bank details, along with information on the utility suppliers in the property. It’s important to return this as failure to return the completed form may delay the return of your deposit.
Property condition and cleaning
We would like your deposit return to be swift and would like to end your tenancy on a happy note. With this in mind, it is useful to know that cleaning is the most common reason for delays with deposit returns.
Reading your original inventory can help ensure that you are returning the property to the same level of cleanliness. If you cannot find your copy of the inventory then please contact Property Management who can forward a copy. Make sure you also check for any special clauses within your Tenancy Agreement that require further services i.e. fumigation, chimney sweeping, and carpet cleaning.
If you decide to use a professional cleaning company and would like help finding a reputable contractor, please contact Property Management.
If you decide to carry out cleaning yourself and the property had previously been professionally cleaned the landlord would be within their right to request that the property be professionally cleaned at your expense from the deposit. This includes instances where tenants hire cleaning equipment to carry out the cleaning or carpets or upholstery themselves as this may not clean to the same standard as at the commencement of the tenancy.
Other things you may wish to consider doing include:
- Clearing out the gutters
- Sweeping out the chimney
- Cleaning the windows (inside and out)
- Dry-cleaning the upholstery, curtains and linen
- Ensuring the garden and/or outdoor space is in a seasonal condition
- Defrosting the freezer
If you use third party contractors, make sure you keep receipts for the above, where relevant.
Make sure each item is put back where it was when you checked in, especially if your property was originally furnished. For any missing or damaged items, tell the letting agent or landlord before checking out to find out how to best replace or repair them.
Domestic and recycling waste
Please ensure that any bins are placed in the correct position for council collection.
Changes to the property
During your tenancy, if your landlord has given permission for you to make any temporary alterations to the property you will need to ensure that they are returned to how they were at the start of the tenancy.
Council Tax/ Utilities
Contact utility suppliers (water and sewage, electricity, gas, telephone and broadband, media services and TV licence) and let them know your move-out date.
For gas, electricity and water (if metered), you will need to have your final meter readings to hand. The service provider will require your forwarding address so that they can send you a final bill. If you have an oil tank or propane gas cylinder this should be topped up to the same level as it was when you moved in.
Also contact your local authority and inform them of your moving date and where you’ll be moving to, so they have a forwarding address on file.
Change of details
So that your post continues to get to you, it’s important to contact anyone that holds personal details for you and provide them with your new address, such as:
- Bank / Building society
- Insurance company
- Doctors
- DVLA
- HMRC
- Friends and family
- Your employer
It’s also worth setting up a Royal Mail redirection service for the first few months after check-out.
Standing order cancellation
When you’ve made the final rental payment, contact your bank to cancel the standing order mandate. They will only act on your instruction and if you don’t inform them of the cancellation they will continue making the payment. We will refund any accidental payments the first month and remind you to cancel your standing order, however, a charge may apply if the standing order still has not been cancelled in the following months.
Key return
On your vacating date, you should return all keys, alarm fobs, gate remotes and any parking permits that were signed over to you at the beginning of or during your tenancy. Please note that once you have surrendered the keys to the property you will have no legal right to re-enter the property.
Checkout
Checkout usually takes place the working day after the last day of your tenancy. The independent inventory company will check the condition of the property and its contents against the inventory created at the start of the tenancy. We strongly recommend that you are present for the checkout appointment as the report created on this visit forms part of your deposit negotiation.
Deposit return
Once both you and the landlord are in agreement, your deposit will be returned to you (minus any agreed costs for repairs or cleaning, if applicable). If a disagreement occurs, any undisputed amount can be released to you and the remainder will be kept until an appropriate outcome has been agreed. Depending on your landlord’s service agreement with us, we may act as an intermediary with you and the landlord to negotiate. If we are unable to resolve any disagreement, we will refer the case to the deposit protection scheme used to protect your deposit, who offer a free dispute resolution service.
