Moving Out Checklist
Remember moving out of your student accommodation is more than a matter of ripping down the posters, slinging your washing in a bag and leggin it out the door. Particularly if you want to get your deposit back.
Deposits
To get your entire deposit back, make sure:
- There is no damage to the property except for the normal wear and tear.
- The property doesn't require extensive cleaning to return it to a lettable condition.
- Keys are returned promptly.
- Any outstanding rent is paid.
- You have written proof that all bills have been paid.
- You still have the written receipt for your deposit.
- You still have copies of any letters you sent to the landlord (to cover disputes).
- Any furniture you may have removed to make way for your own is returned in the same condition you found it.
Inspection
- Arrange an inspection by the landlord on the day you plan to leave (or the day before if you plan to head off early) and make sure you are there when they come round. Whatever you do, never have your moving out party the night before.
Check The Following Rooms
Kitchen
- The cooker, including the oven, is clean and has all its attachments.
- The fridge/freezer is empty of all food, the freezer has been defrosted, all shelves are clean and it has been switched off with the door left open.
- All surfaces and the floor are clean and the bins are emptied.
- All the cupboards are empty and wiped clean.
Lounge, Passageways and External
- All communal areas have been vacuumed.
- All rubbish has been removed.
- The cellar, garage, shed, etc is empty of all your belongings and rubbish.
- No rubbish is left unbagged in the yard/garden.
Bedrooms
- The rooms have been vacuumed.
- All personal possessions have been removed.
- All posters and blue tack or sellotape have been removed.
- All rubbish is removed.
- All furniture that was in the room at the beginning of the tenancy has been put back.
- The curtains are hung properly on their hooks.
- Paintwork, skirting and windowsills have been wiped.
Bathroom
- The toilet, sink and bath have been thoroughly cleaned.
- All others surfaces are clean, including the floor and any woodwork.
- All toiletries have been removed and all bins emptied.
If you do all this, your landlord will probably be so amazed (it won't have happened to them before) that they will return your deposit immediately, giving you time to escape before they realise you've sneakily glued the legs back onto the kitchen table and covered up the hole in the wall with the sofa.
