How to get your rent deposit back

Tenant deposits are big news if you’re a renter. The deposit can be anything from six weeks rent to more than two months and that can add up to thousands of pounds. Of course, the idea is, you’re supposed to get that money back when you move out and leave the property in the pristine condition in which you moved in. But things, as they say, don’t always work out the way we plan.

Get busy with the cleaning products and you'll have a better chance of getting your rent deposit back

So why are some renters not getting all their deposits back?

Some new research from mydeposits – one of the government-sanctioned deposit holding bodies – has revealed that’s mainly down to cleaning costs and unpaid rent. Of those estate agents and landlords who did withold money, 78% said they spent it on tidying up after tenants.

Now, moving out when you owe rent is one thing , but moving out and not cleaning up properly – and then losing money – really shouldn’t be happening to clued-up tenants who value their pounds and pence. It’s that simple really.

Eddie Hooker of Mydeposits wants to help tenants get their cash back and says renters can improve their chances by “ensuring the property is clean, any damage repaired and that the rent is paid up to the day they move out”. He says general wear and tear should be taken into account, too. We couldn’t agree more.

It’s also a good idea to make sure your contact details (including postal address, phone number and email address) are up to date with whichever tenant deposit scheme you’re using. Ahead of vacating your premises, dig out your tenancy paperwork and ensure you know exactly what was included in the inventory so you can be upfront about anything that’s missing, as well as avoiding any accidental omissions.

So tenants: keep the carpets clean and the dosh delivered and, all things being equal, you’ll be in the strongest position possible to get your cash back in a flash. Tidy!

Tags: deposit, Landlords, Property, Tenants