How to get your rental deposit back from your landlord

In the UK, around 36% of the total population rent their home, more than one in three people. Renting a property means one thing, you have to hand over that dreaded deposit. The number can differ depending on where you live, but everyone would welcome that money back at the end of their tenancy.

To get it back, you have to leave the property in a reasonable condition, however, the definition of ‘reasonable’ differs depending on the landlord. Natural wear and tear are considered during the final inspection, and throughout the tenancy, your deposit by law is held in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

There are ways in which you can better your chances of the return of your deposit. So our experts at Household Quotes have revealed five tips to get your rental deposit back.

Over your period of tenancy, you will start to collect a lot of different documentation. This can include the tenancy agreement, inventory, communication with your landlord and any photos of the property before you’ve moved in. When you want your deposit back, you’ll be able to cite clauses in the agreement that will better your argument. Pictures of the property beforehand might also show prior damage that wasn’t your fault, landlords can have a lot of properties and could forget when certain damage occurred.

Regular communication with your landlord is key, if there is a problem don’t be shy to bring it up. Your silence can be a sign that everyone is going well where you are living, so if there are any breakages when you come to move out, the landlord could charge you. Be open and honest, a lot of the time landlords will accept that certain things will break over time, as long as you communicate about it.

Before you move into a property you will be sent an inventory which will include the appliances already in the home, as well as the condition of the different parts of it. Check each thing on the list to make sure it is as it says. If there’s some damage in the property that isn’t on the inventory, then contact the landlord to have it repaired or added. Doing this will prevent your landlord from charging you for the damage when your tenancy comes to an end, as you’ll have it in writing that it was already there.

A dirty rental property is a big reason for people losing their deposit, landlords will have to hire cleaning teams to put in many hours of work to get the home up to standard. To prevent this, keep on top of cleaning regularly. Don’t allow dirt to build up, and think about ventilation to prevent dampness and mould. It will make the job of moving out a much easier experience as well.

When your tenancy is coming to an end, you could pay for a professional cleaner to go to the property. This will ensure that it is cleaned to a high standard, and will look good to the landlord. Cleaners will have cleaning products and will know areas that you would otherwise miss. A bonus is telling your landlord that you’ve had a professional in, this will indicate to them that you’ve taken real care of the property. A lot of the time, cleaners only charge for the hour. So for two hours, you’re looking at between £30 to £40.

‘’A rental deposit can be a lot of money, some people count on that towards their next property. Although there’s no way you can guarantee that your deposit is returned, there are things you can do to give yourself a better chance.

The tips I’ve given above should be helpful no matter your budget, with some as simple as holding onto documents. These could save you a lot of money in the future.’’