Written by Catalina Constantin (2022 DMU Alumni)
Before you leave your student accommodation, you will want to try and make sure your full deposit is returned. The last thing you need to be worried about is not getting your money back.
Watch our video below and and read our tips below:
We’ve compiled a list of our top recommendations to ensure you receive the entire deposit back. To improve your chances of receiving your full deposit back at the end of your tenancy, follow these steps:
- Clean the your room and shared spaces
Make sure that the house has been adequately cleaned and vacuumed. Clean the kitchen, including work surfaces, the cooker, oven, fridge, and freezer. Don’t forget about the bath, shower, and toilet. Vacuum the skirting boards, windowsills and other places where dirt accumulates over time.
- Check the furniture, appliances, vinyl, carpets, and décor
Make sure everything has been well treated and is in full working order and in good condition. All damage needs to be rectified. Check out the Tenants Handbook to find out more about maintenance, repairs, inspections, common problems, and regulations around your accommodation.
- Take out the rubbish and empty the bins
The household will be charged for the removal of rubbish from the interior or exterior of the property.
- Report problems with the property
Notify your landlord or letting agent as quickly as possible if an issue arises, such as a water leak or mould. Take photographs and keep evidence of your communication.
- Return all keys
At the end of your contract, you must return your keys to your accommodation provider. Otherwise, you will be charged for changing the locks at the property. You can return your keys to us in person at the DMU Campus Centre. If you don’t there could be charges taken from your deposit for lost or late returned keys.
If you want to be on the safe side when moving out of your Sulets student house, have a look over our guide on how to leave the property.
Everyone in the accommodation is jointly responsible for any damage caused or cleaning needed in order to prepare the house for the new occupants. If the home is clean and neat upon inspection, with no damage or rubbish to remove, Sulets will be able to transfer your deposit to you faster.
Students are charged against the deposit if any repairs are required as a result of the damage. This will cause a delay as your deposit will be held for a longer period of time.
You will be advised of the charges against your deposit through email and will have the opportunity to contest them. This is where the photos you took when you moved in and out of your house may come in handy.
You may have to pay additional money out of your own pocket.
Sulets are unable to provide you access to the property after the contract ends. We will not be able to forward your mail to you. Please make sure you change your address to ensure that you do not receive any mail to the house once your contract has ended. If you are expecting any mail to be delivered to the property, you can call the Post Office to arrange for it to be redirected.
If you would like to get in touch about any advice, you can call us at 0116 467 0315, send us an email at enquiries@sulets.com, or pop into our lettings office on the DMU campus.
Check out other tips on how to improve your student life here.
Support is also available from Leicester Student Union Advice and De Montfort Student Union Advice.