Most of you will have paid a deposit for your accommodation, so please read the following advice on how to get it back at the end of your tenancy from your SU Advice team...

How to get your deposit back - 7 things to think about:

1. Ensure all your belongings are removed and that the property is clean – hopefully you took photographs of everything when you moved in so you can restore the property to the condition it was in when you took over the tenancy.

2. If you are in a shared house, you should make a joint plan with your housemates so that you all take responsibility for removing the rubbish and cleaning the property – that includes the oven, the fridge, the toilets etc and making sure the garden is clear.

3. Keep in mind that if you leave large items not originally belonging to the house behind, you will get charged for their removal.  

4. Check the inventory to make sure that everything which was there when you moved in is still there and in good condition.  If you choose not to replace missing or damaged items, you will be charged for them.

5. Note the meter readings for the utilities so that you can check that you are not being charged for these costs after your departure. We suggest you email these to the landlord/letting agent so that they can calculate a final bill and advise you if you have exceeded the amount permitted in the “fair usage” clause of your tenancy agreement.

6. Take photographs of the property when you leave so that you can show that the property is being returned to the landlord/letting agent in the same condition as when you moved in.

7. Check your tenancy agreement for the moving out terms and return of the keys.

Provided the only damage to the property is general wear and tear, you should get your deposit back in full within 10 working days.  If there are deductions to be made, you should be refunded the amount less the deduction.  If you believe the deductions are incorrect or unfair, you will need to dispute this with the landlord/letting agency, setting out your reasons and supporting your dispute with photographs, emails, etc.

If you are unable to resolve the dispute, you can use the dispute resolution service offered by the company which holds your deposit.  As a last resort, you may need to issue a claim in the Small Claims Court to recover the money.

Please contact the Advice Team if you encounter any difficulties with the moving out process and getting your deposit back so we can advise you what steps you need to take next.