Wear And Tear In A Rented Property: 6 Things To Do At The End Of Your Tenancy
Moving out of a rented home can be a nerve-wracking time – it is vital to get your deposit back, especially if you need to use it for a deposit on your next home. Landlords can’t always be relied on to treat you fairly, though few will be truly unscrupulous with finding reasons to keep your deposit. Still, it is worth doing what you can to ensure that they will have no reason to try to take any of your deposit from you.
It may help to take a look at the photos from the inventory, which your landlord should provide when you move in. In some cases, this might only be a list of items, and if this is the case, for future rental properties, you should take your own photos to compare with at the end of the tenancy. Compare the pictures from before you took over the property with how it looks now and flag up areas that need attention.
Paint Over Scuffs And Marks
Some scuffs and marks on the wall can be classified as wear and tear, but if you want to be safe, it is best to paint over spots with significant scuffing. Many landlords leave a can of paint for tenants to use in the colours of the walls in the property. Make sure you know how to paint correctly to avoid making an even bigger mess – and potentially losing out on your deposit anyway. If in doubt, hire a professional painter to ensure the task is done well.
Replace Anything That Is Damaged
The difference between fair wear and tear and damage that should be fixed is often quite apparent. Wear and tear covers things like carpets becoming more worn, small scuff marks and chips in paintwork; things that are near-impossible to avoid when living in a property. Any actual damage should be fully repaired by you before you move out. This could include things like:
- Damage caused by pets, such as significantly scratched paint, wallpaper or carpet
- Holes in the walls larger than for hanging pictures
- Broken door handles
- Damaged windows – if you were the cause of the damage
Repair Any Holes In The Walls
Holes that are larger than those being used to hang pictures or artwork should be filled in before you leave the tenancy. There are many reasons you might find yourself with holes in the walls – an accident when moving furniture in or even a trip or fall could cause a hole in the plaster. It is your responsibility to repair this type of damage before handing the property back. You’ll need to find a suitable plasterer to do the work satisfactorily, ensuring that no one will even be aware there was once a hole there. Look for a highly-rated local plasterer to do the work and ensure the walls look perfect before you leave. MyBuilder has an excellent directory to help you find a quality local professional.
Have A Deep Clean
You should always do a deep clean of the property at the end of your tenancy – even if it was less than ideal when you moved in. Some landlords will still attempt to take money out of your deposit to cover a professional clean if it is left dusty or dirty, even if it was in a similar condition when you moved in. There are professional cleaners you could hire if you don’t have the time or skill to do a deep clean of the whole property yourself; most offer end-of-tenancy cleaning services for just this reason.
Get A Second Opinion
If you’re concerned about anything in the property that might cause your landlord to retain some or all of your deposit, it could help to have someone else take a look. They may notice things you overlooked and can give you much-needed peace of mind. You could also visit free advice services like Citizen’s Advice to explore your options and ensure that you aren’t missing anything. They can also provide essential help if you feel your landlord has taken some of your deposit unfairly and want to register a dispute.
Take Photos
Before you hand back your keys, you should take photos of the property and any furniture or appliances that came with it. Ensure you get plenty of images from every angle so that if your landlord makes a claim that you left the property in an unsuitable condition, you will have evidence to prove the contrary. Take high-quality photos with enough lighting that will show an accurate picture of how the property looks.
Summing Up
Moving out of a property can be worrying if you’re concerned you won’t get your deposit back. It is crucial that you return the property to how it looked when you first took over the tenancy, with the exception of acceptable wear and tear. Most responsible landlords will be happy, provided there is no obvious damage and the property is left clean enough for the next tenants.