The end of another year is upon us and for many, attention will shortly be turning to saying goodbye to their current property.

With that in mind, here are some things worth considering to make the process as stress-free as possible:

At the start of your tenancy, your landlord or agent should have gone through an inventory which listed fixtures and furnishings. That will give you an accurate record of the contents and condition of the property. You need to ensure that you replace any missing or broken items, fix any damage that has been caused and dispose of any extra rubbish that doesn’t fit into your bins. 

If you have added any of your own furniture to the property, you should ensure this goes with you, or you arrange a charity or bulky waste collection. More information on Plymouth waste collection can be found here.

Make sure to clean the property to the same standard as when you moved in and if you have a garden, make sure that is also in a similar state to when you arrived.

Hopefully you took photos of the property, including any areas of concern, when you moved in. You should also take photos of the property when you leave, particularly to ensure there are no disputes over damage that may occur after you have vacated the premises. Ensure pictures include areas that often cause issues such as the onside of the fridge or oven. This should all ensure you get as much of your deposit back as possible. You can read more information on getting your deposit back here.

If you did not pay a deposit, a landlord/letting agent may invoice you for charges relating to damage/disrepair. We would recommend that you request evidence of this, including a breakdown of repair/cleaning costs before making payment. If you have any concerns about proposed changes please get in touch with us for further advice. 

Take meter readings when you leave to compare to the ones you (hopefully) took when you moved in. This can be very beneficial should you find yourself facing additional costs due to overuse of utilities. Again, any queries in relation to this, please get in touch. 

If you’ve had your own TV licence for the property, ensure you update your address (if needed) or claim money back if returning to your family home: find out more here.

Finally, as simple as it seems, when you leave don’t forget to lock all doors and windows and return your keys! 

Don't Dump, Donate!

Remember, if you have kitchen items such as pots, pans, crockery, utensils, or small electrical items that you no longer require, you can donate it rather than dumping it. The SU will be accepting donations throughout the summer. Just pop into the Students' Union during our summer opening times (10am-3pm) and head to The Hive, located near the South entrance of the SU, to the left as you walk inside (opposite the lift). 

All donations will be stored over the summer and made available to new and returning students at the start of the next academic year.

Find out more about the Don't Dump, Donate scheme, here!