The Zero-Stress Move-Out Guide: How to Get Your Full Deposit Back

Preparing a rental property for final inspection

Moving is stressful enough. Here is your cheat sheet to closing your account with 360 Properties quickly, cleanly, and without cost.

We loved having you as a tenant. As you prepare for your next chapter, we want to make the handover as smooth as possible. Our goal is to return 100% of your deposit seamlessly and for all parties to move on in a positive and happy manner. However, this all depends on taking good care of the property and handing it back professionally clean and presentable ready for the next tenants. This post is to help you do that and provide and overview of the obligations.

Please ensure all arrangements are agreed in writing at least ONE WEEK before your final day. We run a business and are unable to make arrangements on the final day or just before.

To make that happen, we need to tick off the legal and practical boxes in your Tenancy Agreement (AST). You can currently find these in Section 4 of your AST. Here is the strict "Definition of Done" to ensure you don’t face delays or deductions.

1. The "Professional Standard" Clean

The most common cause of deposit delays is cleaning. Per Clause 4.2 of your agreement, the property must be returned "in as good a condition as at the start." This doesn’t just mean a quick vacuum. To pass the check-out, please ensure:

• The Oven: This is the #1 failure point. It must be degreased and sparkling.

• White Goods - We typically do not provide these now - however if leaving gifted items or yours behind (must be agreed) for other tenants then they must be funcional and clean. That another tenant would safely and happily use. Otherwise they will be classed as rubbished and a removal fee charged.

  • Fridge Freezer / Washer - where these have been provided. Then they must be handed back empty, defrosted, clean and hygenic for the next tenants.

• The Walls: Please wipe down walls, doors, skirting boards, cobwebs along ceiling to remove, grime, spill stains, scuffs or marks. We use wipeable paints so light rubbing with a damp cloth is fine.

• Floors - Ensure carpets are vacuumed clean (free of hairs, dust and stains) and any vinyl or wood floors thoroughly mopped

• Windows: Cleaned on the inside, ensuring visibility is clear and no smudges, and the window frame is clean

• Clean test - For avoidance of doubt - Our inspectors must be able to run a finger over the surfaces and for the finger not to be covered in dust or grime. Should the finger be left dirty then the surface isnt clean! The property will require professional cleaners at chargeable cost. The minimum basic cost for 2 bed property is £140 excluding oven clean, depending on level of deep clean required.

• Smells - Properties are provided fresh and clean from any smells. This is the standard required upon returning too.

• Rubbish: The property must be entirely free of personal items and rubbish. Anything left behind, and not on the inventory or agreed in writing before the last week of the tenancy, is charged for removal by a third party waste company.

  • Typical minimum charge is around £220 + additional fees depending on size and number items...

• Cleaning - We recommend hiring professional cleaners if you want to guarantee a spotless finish. Take photos after cleaning to document the condition.

• Unwanted items - Often we end up with items we no longer want. Instead of binning please consider donating. Charity shops or the council has a site to support this - www.giveitdontbinit.co.uk

2. Utilities & Admin (Don't Pay for What You Don't Use)

Don't get stuck with bills after you leave. On your final day, you must:

• Utility Meter Readings: Take a photo of the Gas, Electricity, and Water meters. Send these to the utility companies and to us immediately.

• Council Tax: You must contact the Council to close your account and provide your forwarding address.

• Mail Forwarding: We do not forward mail. Please set up a Royal Mail redirect before you leave, as we cannot be responsible for lost post.

• Debts due to unpaid Utility / Council Tax / Other bills - Your obligations for paying bills amassed during your tenancy does not end just because you leave the property. The council or utility company can still pursue you and request details from us to help recover those bills, only further increasing the costs. Please ensure all are paid.

3. Keys & Handover

We do not usually require a joint checkout appointment (we find it’s easier for you to just finish up and go).

• Timing: Keys must be returned within working hours on your final day. Details to be agreed at least a week before your final day.

• Location: Please leave all sets of keys in the property Lockbox (or the agreed safe location).

• Security: Ensure all windows are locked and the alarm is set (if applicable) before you close the door.

4. Deposit Return

Once the returned property has been checked we will contact you within 7 days to confirm the next steps.

a. No damage or issues - we will release the full deposit via the provider DPS. The lead tenant will get an email and text asking them to accept before payment is scheduled.

b. Damage found - we will notifying you of the issues and costs to repair prior to submitting for payment via the deposit scheme. Depending on issues this may well take longer than 7 days to get the full costs.

c. Tenant Requesting Deposit Scheme Repayment - We strongly advise against tenants initiating the repayment of the deposit before final costs or agreement has been reached. As this sets a 14 day period for response. If there are works that we do not have final costs for then we will be forced to submit the max cost known at that time, and settle the expenses via small claims court. This leaves the deposit value on hold and unreleased until court action is complete. This results in a far a worse situation for tenants.

Note: As you know, subject to signup, your rent included a "Courtesy Business-Grade Broadband" package. As per the terms of signup, if you leave with arrears then this becomes chargable at current market rate for the duration of your tenancy.  If the tenancy concludes smoothly, the broadband remains on the house. We want to part as friends, so let’s keep the handover clean to ensure this perk stays a perk.

Summary Checklist

• [ ] All Rent and bills paid?

• [ ] All times removed

• [ ] Any damage to property repaired

• [ ] Property Professional level clean - including Oven and walls cleaned?

• [ ] Utility Meter readings taken and providers notified?

• [ ] Council Tax account closed?

• [ ] Mail redirect setup?

• [ ] Keys in the lockbox?

  
  
  
  

  Thank you for staying with 360 Properties. We wish you all the best in your new home.