British landlords have a national sport. It’s called “keeping as much of your deposit at the end of the tenancy as possible”. Not very catchy, I know. But it’s a sport nonetheless. If you rent in the UK, you know what I’m talking about.
When you move out, a British landlord will make every effort to keep as much as possible from your deposit. They’ll quote the most expensive cleaners. They’ll charge you a fortune for menial tasks such as moving a chair from one room to the other (I’m not making this up).
I’ve had a lot of experience with this as a renter. I learned a few things:
– Try and leave the flat in the best state possible. No burnt light bulbs. Clean carpets. No holes in the walls.
– Report any faults as soon as you encounter them throughout your tenancy. Be especially pedantic as soon as you move in.
– When facing the landlord’s attempt to keep the money, challenge everything. Prove (using quotes) the market rates for cleaning. Prove the cost of anything that needs replacing.
– Prepare to only get part of your deposit back.
To win in any sport you have to put an effort in. This is no different. Try your best. You could save thousands of pounds.
Optimising My Life 