Moving out is one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. That goes double when you are moving out from a rental apartment and into your first property, as it comes with a lot of additional tasks that may pile up and drain you physically and emotionally.
But, without a doubt, the most stressful part is getting your deposit back. While landlords would happily keep your deposit, they need a valid reason to withhold it.
So, if you want to make sure you don’t give them any excuse, here are the 6 main reasons why tenants don’t get their deposit back at the end of their tenancy.
1. You Owe Your Landlord Rent
One of the most important elements of becoming a landlord is to have a good relationship with the tenant and turn a profit from the property. After all, you didn’t think you could live in someone else’s apartment for free.
Actually, that’s precisely the case why landlords ask for a deposit in the first place. Since 2019 landlords have been capped to ask for no more than four weeks of rent as a deposit. Thus, if you decide that you can skip on your last month’s due, the landlord will simply withhold your entire deposit.
In fact, any outstanding payments that were due before you leave can be deducted from your deposit, and if you try to fight it in court, chances are the sum will go even higher.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t attack unlawful deductions from your deposit in court. Just make sure all your dues are cleared before taking legal action.
2. You Haven’t Paid Utilities Before The Move-Out
That’s practically the same as not paying your rent. However, some rental agreements include utility bills to some extent.
For example, if you use a particular amount of electricity, it is covered by your rent. Still, you owe your landlord the difference if you go over the predetermined electricity. So, before you move out, ask your landlord if any outstanding bills need to be covered.
Also, make sure to let them know that any late-coming bills will also be covered. If your relationship with your landlord was civil during your tenancy, there is no reason to worry about your deposit.
3. You End The Lease Early
Breaking the lease earlier or without notice may cost you at least part of your deposit, if not the entire thing. The point of the notice is to allow the landlord to find a substitute in the agreed-upon timeframe. So, for example, if you are on a monthly lease, you will have to give at least one month of notice before you leave.
Naturally, you will owe the landlord this month’s rent regardless of whether you use the unit or not. If you have a fixed-term lease, breaking it early may cause you some cash, depending on the clause in your contract.
Still, in many cases, if you want to move out earlier and your landlord (or you) find a suitable substitute, usually the landlord will grant you the full deposit regardless of breaking the lease early.
So, if you need to leave your rental place earlier, just talk to your rent-giver. More often than not, they understand and will try to find a suitable substitute to take your lease.
4. You Left The Property Damaged
This is the most common reason people lose their deposits. People often disregard minor damages like broken house appliances, scratches on the walls, and other minor cracks. Still, the landlord will cover those expenses with the deposit.
Naturally, you can’t be blamed for each end of every damage on your property. A series of acts voted by the government can give you a clue as to which damages you are liable for and for which you are not.
The government even published a detailed online brochure listing all the tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities. So, look into the documents and check if you caused any property damage that follows under your care. If so, fix them before you move out.
It’s always better to fix things yourself rather than let the landlord do it. This way, you will choose the handyman, the materials, and ultimately the price of the fix.
5. You Left The Cleaning To Your Landlord
You’ve got to take care of the rental property and never, ever leave the landlord clean after you–first and foremost, because it’s not polite.
Furthermore, while cleaning, ensure you take all your precious belongings, and you will be surprised how many lost valuables you will find when scrubbing and deep cleaning.
As per the 2019 Tenant Fees Act, the landlord can no longer force you to get a professional end-of-tenancy cleaning for the rental unit.
Still, they can insist on getting their apartment cleaned at a professional level, especially if they gave it away after professional cleaning. So, if you are adamant that you want to keep your deposit, you best give yourself enough time to clean your home thoroughly.
On the other hand, if you don’t have the time or are not sure you can do a good enough job, you might as well call a professional cleaning crew. The best part is that they will do the job in a matter of hours since that’s not their first gig.
Moreover, they know the spots people usually miss and have the equipment and know-how to ensure you will get your entire deposit.
However, make sure to contact reliable tenancy cleaning providers—otherwise, you’ll be wasting your money. It’s better to pay around 10% of your deposit to a cleaning crew rather than 5% and still lose the rest.
6. You Move Out Without Checking The Property
Finally, you must arrange a walkthrough with your landlord and ensure they won’t have any claims against you later.
Usually, it’s a good idea to hire an impartial advisor who will come with both parties and act as an arbiter if there are any discrepancies. Before you call them, check your entire apartment to see if it’s presentable and ready.
In addition, you might want to take many photos to document how you left your home. This will prevent the landlord from fabricating damages and taking you to court.
Getting your Deposit Back Is Not That Hard
Getting your deposit back is not so complicated, unlike making your moving process faster.
The legislator has imposed very strict responsibilities on the tenant. If you meet them, getting your deposit back in full is almost guaranteed.
Still, if you suspect the landlord is trying to cheat you out of giving back your money, you can always look for professional legal help.
