Moving in 67 INFORMATION
DEPOSIT DEDUCTIONS
furniture won’t look brand new at the end of a 12 month tenancy. The landlord cannot charge you for a replacement if the only deterioration is due to normal everyday use.
Also, a landlord cannot automatically charge you the full cost of a brand new replacement item.
• If you move into a property
REFERENCES
with a carpet that is 5 years old, but is subsequently damaged and requires replacement at the end of the tenancy, you would only be liable for a proportionate amount of the cost of a brand new replacement carpet. This factors in that a landlord cannot make deductions from a deposit in order to ‘improve’ the property.
HELP & INFORMATION
If there is a dispute between you and your landlord as to what, if anything should be deducted from the deposit at the end of your tenancy, then the inventory is good evidence that can be used to help resolve the dispute. See page 92 for further information on getting your deposit back.
• A ‘brand new’ piece of
MOVING IN
If the inventory shows that any repairs or extra cleaning are required at the end of the tenancy, the landlord will want to deduct the costs from your deposit.
When it comes to deposit deductions, there is an allowance for ‘fair wear and tear’
VIEWING/CONTRACTS
It is also recommended that an inventory is carried out if there is a change of tenant mid-way through a tenancy.
REMEMBER:
WHERE DO I START?
If the check-out inventory is scheduled to take place in your absence, make sure you carry out your own inventory and take dated photographs while you still have access to the property.