The Tenant Checkout process

Ensure your move-out process is smooth and efficient with our handy guide.  

Start preparing early to have ample time to organise everything before your check-out day. Follow the guide below, and if you leave the property as you found it, you should have no problems. 

Admin

It may seem like a chore but it's an important part of the process and helps ensure you stop paying for a property you no longer live at, and that your service providers are kept updated.  

If your rent is paid by standing order or direct debit, please contact your bank to cancel it, as this is your responsibility. We cannot do this for you, and any overpaid rent will incur a return charge of £30.00 inc VAT per occurrence. Ensure that all front door keys and/or fobs are handed back to the property inspector or office on or before the checkout date. If returning them outside office hours, place them in an envelope with your name (not the property address) for security reasons. Failure to return them as specified will result in lock changes, with costs added at the end of your tenancy. Contact your telephone/internet providers, read your utility meters, and notify the relevant services of your final readings and forwarding address. Before leaving, sign out of any accounts on platforms like Netflix or Hive/Nest on devices that will remain at the property, as neither the landlord nor Brand Vaughan is responsible for misuse after your exit. Arrange for mail redirection through the Post Office, as we do not provide this service and are not responsible for your post. Finally, remember to update your address on the electoral register, as you won’t automatically be registered to vote at your new address.

Cleaning

You will need to ensure that the property, garage where applicable, and outside areas are left in the same good condition in which it was found, as detailed in the inventory. This means the property will need to be thoroughly cleaned including carpets, windows, and all kitchen and bathroom fitments.  

Ovens, fridges, and washing machines must be cleaned to their original condition, or deposit deductions will apply. Fridge/freezers should be defrosted, emptied, and left open to prevent mold. Remove all rubbish and personal belongings before checkout—charges apply for disposal of leftover items. Stained carpets should be professionally steam cleaned; we can provide contractor details. Wash or dry clean curtains and wipe blinds. Return any moved furniture to its original room per the inventory to avoid charges. Ensure all lightbulbs work and replace any if needed. If something is damaged, let us know—we can assist or advise on a suitable replacement.

It is also worth checking your tenants’ insurance (if you have it) as you may be able to claim for any landlord’s items that have been accidentally damaged during your tenancy. You will not be able to make a claim retrospectively, once you have moved out of the property.  
 

Moving day

Please make sure you have vacated the property by the agreed time. If for any reason you need more time at the property and need to move out later, please let us know as soon as possible, so we can organise accordingly with the new tenant. 

Deposit 

If we are satisfied with the condition of the property we will return your full deposit to you. If there are any discrepancies regarding the inventory, we will contact your landlord to discuss them. Where damage is found we will make a calculation, taking into account fair wear and tear and the age and expected lifespan of the item(s) in question, and recommend to the landlord a reasonable deduction from the deposit. It is important you inform us of your forwarding address so we can deal with the return of your deposit as appropriate.

If you elected to take out the No Deposit Scheme instead of paying a traditional deposit, it is important that you refer to your agreement to refresh yourself with your obligations within your agreement. Should any issues be identified following the end of tenancy inspection, you will still be liable, and we will always try to recover any fair end-of-tenancy claims directly.

*Please note that the deposit for this tenancy is protected under the Tenancy Deposit Protection scheme and therefore any deductions will need to be agreed on by both Tenant and Landlord before the deposit is released to either party. To ensure this happens efficiently we need to communicate with you swiftly and easily during this period as any perceived delays can be detrimental to claims. Once an agreement has been reached with both the tenant and landlord we will return your deposit to you within 10 days. If you need to dispute a deduction and refer it to the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) we will submit evidence to justify any claim your landlord wishes to make.