We were shocked to hear that large numbers of student tenants lose the deposits they have paid to their landlords.
According to Accommodation for Students’ recent survey, a whopping 20 per cent of students wave goodbye to their deposits when they move out.
Last year there were 1.8 million full-time undergraduates in the UK (figures from UCAS), so if the survey results are accurate up to 360,000 students lose their deposits every year.
With living costs spiralling, this is money that’s needlessly going down the drain.
It can also cause big problems if you were counting on getting the cash back to put towards the deposit needed to secure your next house share.
So what can you do to avoid losing your deposit?
The key is to make sure the room or house you rent is in the same condition when you leave as it was when you moved in.
Some wear and tear is expected and you shouldn’t be penalised for this, but damage to the furniture or the property itself will mean the repair costs are taken out of your deposit.
So take care next time you stumble home after 10 Jager bombs, a collision with the glass cabinet in the corner could cost you!
If you do accidentally damage something then get in touch with your landlord straight away, they are likely to be more understanding if you own up to it, rather than waiting for it to be discovered at the end of your contract.
The same goes for more general problems. If you spot a leak or a damp problem, or anything else that your landlord needs to fix, you should notify them in writing immediately.
Cleaning is a hassle and you might not want to do it on a regular basis but giving the place one almighty deep clean before you move out is well worth it.
One of the most common reasons students lose all or part of their deposit is because the landlord has charged for professional cleaners to come in and purge the property of months’ worth of dirt, grime and grease. So pop on those marigolds before you leave and get scrubbing.
For more information about deposits visit the Accommodation for Students advice page.