Ensuring you don't lose your deposit

MOVING IN AND INVENTORIES

On the day that your contract or licence starts, visit the property with the agent or property owner, and fill in and sign an inventory. If the agent or landlord/lady doesn't provide one of these, Student Accommodation Services will be able to give you a copy of their basic inventory form.

As well as making a record of all the items in the house, make notes on their condition - for example, if a kitchen chair has a ripped back or there are cigarette burns on the carpet, note this on the inventory and make sure that you keep a copy.

It may seem a bit of a hassle but having a completed and signed inventory can really help you out if you have problems getting any of your deposit back when you leave - so take your time and make sure that it is accurate.

If anything needs repairing, tell the landlord/lady or agent immediately and back this up in writing with a letter clearly stating the problem. Keep a copy of this letter and any others that you send during your occupancy of the property.

If there are any serious problems or the house is really messy or dirty, it is worth taking photographs. These can be very useful if problems arise later.

Try to get someone who isn't going to be living in the property to witness that you are taking the photographs on the day that you are moving in, or take photos with a camera that displays the date.

Always take a inventory!

MOVING OUT CHECKLIST

• Contact the landlord/lady or agent a month before you know you will be moving out and arrange for them to do a final inspection of the property on the day that you leave.
• Make sure that you leave the property clean and tidy, even if it wasn't when you moved in.
• On the day you leave, take final meter readings and notify the gas, electricity, water, phone companies etc. that you have left and give your new address where the bills can be sent.
• If anything is damaged, make a list of what is damaged and how. If you are concerned about losing your deposit, take photographs of the damage, preferably with a camera that will display the date.
• If you are concerned generally about getting your deposit back, take photographs of each room and get someone who hasn't lived in the house to confirm that the photos were taken on the day you moved out.
• Return the keys on time and give a forwarding address to the landlord/lady or agent.

From 6th April 2007 all tenants signing a new Assured Shorthold Tenancy will have their deposit placed into the Tenancy Deposit Protection scheme, which will ensure that your deposit is protected. If your deposit is held in the Tenancy Deposit Scheme then it should be returned to you within 10 days of the tenancy ending, unless there are disputes between you and the landlord. For more info check out:

www.direct.gov.uk/tenancydeposit

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DEPOSIT IS NOT RETURNED...

If you are not covered by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme then wait at least 14 days, unless you have specifically agreed something different. Write a letter to the landlord/lady or agent asking for the return of your deposit within the next 7 days. Keep a copy of this and any other letters that you send. If you don't hear from the landlord/lady or agent within this time, or if the reasons you are given for the withholding of any part of your deposit are unfair or unclear, get advice immediately.

You can take legal action to recover your money through the small claims court, which isn't as difficult or as daunting as it sounds and can be done without a solicitor.

For more information, see the two Advice Centre leaflets entitled 'Moving In' and 'Moving Out'.