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So, you’ve just moved into your university room. Maybe it’s a shared flat, maybe it’s a room on campus, but one thing’s for sure, it’s yours to decorate however you please. And while decking out your first place is one of the true joys of moving away from home, there always comes a time at the end of the year when the contract ends, and the conversation about deposits emerges. But how can you actually make sure you get your full deposit back? And what are landlords looking out for?
Ask for an Inventory
First things first, make sure you do an inventory upon moving in. Most good landlords will have a checklist that they’ll walk you around the house with, giving you the chance to document any existing issues with the property. However, it’s vital that you get your own copy of their inventory (in case there are disputes later) and it’s also wise to conduct your own inventory, taking pictures along the way for evidence. Usually, these will save onto your phone or camera with a date and timestamp, however, it might be a good idea to email them to yourself or put them on a memory drive, just to be safe.
Fill in any Holes and Gaps
Over a year (or more) of living somewhere, it’s normal that some things are going to get damaged. Some paint might chip off the wall, there might be a hole from where you hang something up. That’s why you’re going to want to spend a while painting over any affected area and caulking in holes in your wall. It’s not really that complicated, but there are a few things to watch out for. Make sure that the paint you’ve chosen matches exactly and that you’ve smoothed the wall over after filling in any gaps. With that, you’re one step closer to your deposit.
Clean Everything Before Leaving
Maybe a bit obvious, but it’s worth saying it. Make sure to clean everything in your house. There has been some discussion about how clean your rental property needs to be, but the basic consensus is that it needs to be in ‘reasonably clean’ condition. So your landlord cannot expect you to have your house professionally cleaned, but you should do things like cleaning the oven, vacuuming the floors, and wiping away any dirt.
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Consider Command Strips
If you are there for a fairly short amount of time, you might want to consider avoiding making holes in the wall altogether. Hence why Command Strips are a student’s best friend. Originally invented in 1995 to allow folk to stick photos up on their wall without much commitment, the adhesive strip product is now essentially its own industry and you can get Command Strips designed for pretty much anything. Fancy hanging your coat up? Put it on a Command Hook. Need somewhere to store your shampoo? Try a Command Shower Caddy. The options are pretty much endless.
Be Honest When You Go
Last but not least, just be honest when you leave. Lots of people think it’ll work to their advantage if they simply don’t mention the things they’ve broken while in their tenancy, but usually this backfires when it’s time to get the deposit back. This isn’t to say that your landlord will waive the charge, however, they’re unlikely to add any additional fees for investigating the charge. With this in mind, make sure to brush up on what is actually damaged and what’s fair wear and tear. So, if the damage is simply things naturally fading, don’t worry about it.
