There are many laws and schemes in place to protect yourself as a tenant, this includes the protection of the tenant’s deposit in the mandatory tenancy deposit scheme. These landlord rules protect the tenant from the landlord retaining the deposit for unjustified reasons.
According to a survey carried out by cleaning services, End of Tenancy London, 61% of tenants did not get their full deposit back, with 80% of landlords complaining of cleanliness issues as the reason for the deposit penalty.
Renting experts at Mashroom have discovered the top reasons that deposits are withheld and what you can do to prevent losing your deposit.
Cleaning
When renting a property it is expected to have wear and tear and it can be hard to stop accidents from happening. From ring stains on oven hobs to stained mattresses, making your home as clean as you found it is hard especially if you have lived there a long time.
How to stop losing your deposit:
Little things from buying mattress protectors, cleaning up spills as soon as they happen, using your inventory images for comparison and making sure drains are clear of blockages will help you keep your rental in the best condition possible.
If you struggle with cleaning, it can be more cost-efficient to hire a professional before you move out rather than the landlord sourcing it themselves.
Redecoration costs
We have all been there, you put up a mirror with a mark-free adhesive only for it to leave a mark after you take it down, it happens. Luckily marks on walls can be easily covered but carpets are often one of the most damaged features in a home with stains and pulls. Dodgy DIY’s from a Tiktok trend is also one of the most deposit damaging things you can do to your rental.
How to stop losing your deposit:
The number one tip for protecting your deposit is to ask your landlord before doing anything permanent, whether it is painting a wall or replacing a carpet, without that permission you could lose your entire deposit. Also, make sure you stock up on any matching paint and wall filler that will keep your home looking as fresh as possible.
Garden upkeep
It may seem trivial and not important to the property itself but keeping your garden clean and tidy is paramount to a deposit return.
How to stop losing your deposit:
When moving out, run a lawnmower over any grass and ensure any rubbish is removed. A common issue in the UK is the weather so make sure any broken fences damaged by the wind have been reported to the landlord and fixed prior to moving out.
Left-Furniture Removal
Moving house often means that old furniture and other items need to be disposed of, however, leaving them in the property without permission is a massive hassle to the landlord who may not appreciate that hot pink chair that you don’t have space for.
How to stop losing your deposit:
Rather than throwing it away, the best option is to donate the furniture if it is in good condition. If you cannot donate it you must first ask the landlord if they are happy with the item being left within the house.
Broken furniture
Furnished houses have become very common and convenient in recent years, again accidents happen and wear and tear is expected but breaking furniture is a big no-no for your deposit.
How to stop losing your deposit:
Taking the time to get furniture fixed is very important, if unfixable you should speak to the landlord who may be ok with the break or may charge you for a replacement, as long as it is reported before your end of the tenancy it will likely be forgiven or fixed with no penalty to your deposit.
Overall the takeaway is to contact your landlord with any concerns with the property. Also being thorough with your inventory to make sure any property issues are reported at the start to avoid a deposit penalty. Finally, as simple as it sounds, cleaning the property before your end of tenancy will protect you.
