1. Rent

The MOST important thing you need to think about before leaving the property - Has all your rent been paid?

 

First things first, read your agreement and the dates of your tenancy. As you are voluntarily choosing to leave the property early, chances are you are still liable for the full rental amount. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read through your agreement in detail to double check.

If you have any questions regarding whether your full amount of rent has been paid or the terms of your tenancy contact your Landlord/Estate Agent. Where there is still rent to be paid, confirm the bank details it will need transferring to and set up a standing order for each month of the tenancy that remains. Or complete a full transfer for the remaining amount if this is what you have agreed. Your bank will be able to advise how to do this via internet banking or alternatively setting it up in branch.

Top Tip: Make sure if you speak to your Landlord/Estate Agent over the phone regarding your rent or tenancy agreement that you get them to email to confirm what they have said afterwards. Always keep written evidence in case of any future disputes.

 

2. Deposit

If you have paid a deposit, chances are you are going to want the amount back, in full. Make sure that the whole property, not just your bedroom, is cleaned. Also check there are no unreported maintenance issues, as your landlord may charge you for these even if they weren’t your fault initially!

Contact your Landlord/Estate Agent to let them know you are leaving the property early, but also to check their requirements for deposit release and to ensure that have the correct bank details for when the time comes to transfer the amount back to you. Companies have different policies but for most tenancies this will be up to 10 working days after the end date.

 

3. Housemates

Disregard this section if you are living alone, but as a student chances are you have been sharing the property with housemates over the year. Just because you are planning on leaving the property early, it doesn’t mean that everyone else is.

Try where you can to speak to them and tell them your plans and ask for theirs. Try and come up with a plan of who will clean which room and when. If this isn’t possible or you do not trust your housemates to stick to the plan (which there is no shame in!) then I strongly advise that you clean the property yourself and take pictures of your efforts. 

This means that at the end of tenancy if the property has fallen below standard you have evidence to show the Landlord/Estate Agent of the condition it was in when you left. This outlines how important it is to tell your Landlord of your plans to leave the property early, most will be more lenient if you have cooperated fully and kept them informed throughout the tenancy.

 

4. Utilities 

Lastly, a more obvious step regarding ongoing utility bills. Most bills in student properties are included in one price with the rent. However, sometimes internet or TV subscriptions will need to be taken out by the tenants themselves.

If you have been the one that has taken out the policy on the behalf of your housemates, ensure that you have cancelled this in advance of leaving the property. Call the provider and check that all payments are up to date and ask for written confirmation of cancellation.

If you know a housemate will still be needing the service after you leave, check with the provider regarding whether you can change the policy to their name. If not DO NOT just leave it. Cancel your own policy and give them assistance where you can with setting theirs up. You’ve got to do what’s best for you in the long run. 

For other things to consider it might be worth clicking here