Leaving a rented property-what more can I do?!?!?

emsywoo123

Hi all
I am leaving my rented property in 2 wekks, after 2 and a half years.
I suspect my LL will try to hold some deposit back, so I am trying to get it as right as possible.
Goes without saying that we will clear and clean the property, but additionally we will:

• Get the carpets professionally cleaned (booked for the day before we leave )
• Dry clean all the curtains
• Re-paint the walls

We have left a significant deposit with him. There is no damage to the property.
Is there anything obvious that we have not thought of that we can do to ensure maximum return of the deposit?
Many thanks:D

poppysarah

Clean the oven. Perhaps professionally. *spy on them and tell me how they do it though!

emsywoo123

poppysarah wrote: »

Clean the oven. Perhaps professionally. *spy on them and tell me how they do it though!

Ah ha I had it professioanlly done a month ago, and hardly used since really (long story!!) so I was just going to do it myself. Still looks very clean, but I have the technology:rotfl: :rotfl:

lynzpower

Dont repaint the walls!!! repeat DONT REPAINT THE WALLS

1) LL cant expect the property to come back in the same way it was let 2.5 years ago
2) people have had thier deps kets as repainting wasnt to the LLs desired taste PLUS your AST will probably explicitly forbid painting if it is a standard AST.

Dont waste your time/ money and risk getting your dep back.

TIP: I used ot be an inventory clark- and the sorts of things I was told to look out for to "dock" deposits were COBWEBS and BLOWN LIGHT BULBS. ensure that all lightbulbs are in working order and check ALL corners of your flat for webs- including above the front door/ porch ( which is where people often miss)

sooz

I agree with Lynz - don't paint. Quite aside from the fact that you've been there for over 2 years, so there will be some wear & tear, you might not paint to the same standard (or what the LL thinks is the same standard). You also might think it's the same colour, but your LL may not.

I replied on your other thread, but again...clean oven, change lighbulbs, dust the bits you don't normally - including door frames, picture rails, cornices, change the cooker hood filter, take photos & don't forget to read the meters.

If possible, try to arrange a pre-check out meeting with your LL, so he can point out anything he thinks needs doing now.

Keep all receipts for the carpet & dry cleaning, so you can prove you had them done.

emsywoo123

lynzpower wrote: »

Dont repaint the walls!!! repeat DONT REPAINT THE WALLS

1) LL cant expect the property to come back in the same way it was let 2.5 years ago he really will, he is a plonker to put it politely!! has told me he expects it "restored to original condition"
2) people have had thier deps kets as repainting wasnt to the LLs desired taste PLUS your AST will probably explicitly forbid painting if it is a standard AST. nothing in my AST about it?

Dont waste your time/ money and risk getting your dep back.

TIP: I used ot be an inventory clark- and the sorts of things I was told to look out for to "dock" deposits were COBWEBS and BLOWN LIGHT BULBS. ensure that all lightbulbs are in working order and check ALL corners of your flat for webs- including above the front door/ porch ( which is where people often miss)

fabulous thank you, I would completely not have thought of this!

Waht sort of thing/amount can I expect deducted? Waht is acceptable/not acceptable?

emsywoo123

sooz wrote: »

I agree with Lynz - don't paint. Quite aside from the fact that you've been there for over 2 years, so there will be some wear & tear, you might not paint to the same standard (or what the LL thinks is the same standard). You also might think it's the same colour, but your LL may not. I expect him to cahrge me for a re-paint....is this reasonable?

I replied on your other thread,see below for an update on this!!! but again...clean oven, change lighbulbs, dust the bits you don't normally - including door frames, picture rails, cornices, change the cooker hood filter, take photos & don't forget to read the meters.

If possible, try to arrange a pre-check out meeting with your LL, so he can point out anything he thinks needs doing now.he lives too far away to be prepared to do this

Keep all receipts for the carpet & dry cleaning, so you can prove you had them done.definately

The potential new LL, who was asking odd financial questions from my character referees, said that my "morals were squiwiff" as I basically am living in sin by being an unmarried mother and did not go to church!!
The only way he would accept me was if I could put down the deposit (£1000!!!) in 48 hours as I was basically untrustworthy.

Surprisingly I said no.:p

Jingojango

It can be the little things - clean the soap tray to the washing machine, dust the top of all the door frames, wipe down all the light switches and make sure everything is in the same place as is stated on the inventory. Find out if you are responsible for the windows, if so get a window cleaner round. Anything you get done professionally remember to take a recipt for!

I have either been charged, or know other people who have been charged for all of these things.

Good luck

sooz

emsywoo123 wrote: »

The potential new LL, who was asking odd financial questions from my character referees, said that my "morals were squiwiff" as I basically am living in sin by being an unmarried mother and did not go to church!!
The only way he would accept me was if I could put down the deposit (£1000!!!) in 48 hours as I was basically untrustworthy.

Surprisingly I said no.:p

Well - he sounded rather mad from what you said he was asking your referees.

Have you found somewhere new?

No - after 2.5 years it is not reasonable for your LL to charge you for repainting - unless you have been practising your artwork on the walls, bloodletting, gouging the walls with knives etc.

chewmylegoff

emsywoo123 wrote: »

Hi all
I am leaving my rented property in 2 wekks, after 2 and a half years.
I suspect my LL will try to hold some deposit back, so I am trying to get it as right as possible.
Goes without saying that we will clear and clean the property, but additionally we will:

• Get the carpets professionally cleaned (booked for the day before we leave )
• Dry clean all the curtains
• Re-paint the walls

We have left a significant deposit with him. There is no damage to the property.
Is there anything obvious that we have not thought of that we can do to ensure maximum return of the deposit?
Many thanks:D

personally the experience i have had with letting agents tells me that there's no point in cleaning the place, professionally or otherwise, as they will just say that it isn't clean enough and get their own people in and charge you for it anyway. this has happened to me at least 6 times, it seems pointless to argue.

emsywoo123

My AST says at the end of tenenacy I must return
"furniture, fixtures and effects properly replaired, decorated and kep in accordance with the terms hereof....." so I guessed that meant painting?
and
"to clean the windows on a regular basis" does this mean inside and out!?!?