Top strategies for ensuring that you get your rental deposit back

Paying a deposit when you move into a new rental home is an inevitable expense, but the good news is that if you look after the home well, you could get this money back when you move out - as well as any interest that has been earned. Jawitz Properties takes a look at ways to ensure that you get your deposit back at the end of your lease - whether you're renting for the first time or if you've done this many times before.

First things first: make a detailed list of preexisting defects.

Before you move in, a detailed inspection of the home is required, at which both you and the landlord/landlord representative are present, noting all existing defects in the property. Take careful note of this, and you have a further seven days after you have moved in to note any further issues. Ideally to best protect you, it is advisable that pictures are taken of all the existing damage in the property, so there can be no doubt as to whether or not a particular flaw was there before you moved in. A few pointers would be:

• Are there any marks on the ceiling or walls, including picture nails?
• Do all door locks work easily?
• Are there any stains or marks on the carpet? What about broken or cracked tiles?
• Do all the windows close properly?
• Are there any pipes or taps leaking?
• Are all the lightbulbs working?
• How clean is the property, including windows, ovens and extractor fans?
• What is the condition of the garden/pool if applicable?

A list of these flaws should be signed by both you and the landlord and attached to your lease so you can refer to them again at time of exit. This will form the basis of the comparison between the entry inspection and exit inspection, and potential damaged caused or "wear and tear".

Secondly, during the course of the lease, ensure that you take care of any maintenance or damage that would be your responsibility. Examples of this include maintaining the garden and/or pool and replacing light bulbs.

It is also vital that you notify the landlord as soon as you become aware of any necessary repairs or maintenance that would be for their account. Even if the landlord does not take care of the issues, it will still have recorded that you notified the landlord accordingly, and then you cannot be held liable.

Return the property in the same shape that you found it in

If the landlord has to undertake any repairs or alterations after your stay, the cost will come out of your deposit unless you rectify the issue yourself. If you've painted a feature wall in the living room, for example, you'll need to paint it back to its original colour before you hand the keys back. It's also a good idea to get a professional cleaning service in once you've moved out and before the exit inspection takes place. The less the landlord has to worry about doing maintenance or cleaning before the next tenant moves in, the more inclined he or she will be to pay your deposit back promptly and in full.

How soon is your landlord required to refund you?

From the day that the outgoing rental inspection takes place, the landlord has seven days to refund the full amount if there are no damages or rental/utility arrears owed. If repairs do need to be carried out, then the landlord has 14 days after all necessary repairs have been attended to. The landlord needs to provide you with the quote and receipt of all the deductions to the deposit. 

As a tenant, you need to understand that if you refuse to attend an outgoing inspection, you can be held liable for any damages that the landlord deems to have been done to the property. In this case, the landlord would have 21 days after the lease has terminated or expired to refund the deposit.

Should you need any further information about your rights and obligations as a tenant please contact Jawitz Properties.