DEPOSIT RETURN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What do I need to do to have my deposit back?
When you move out of the property you must ensure the flat & appliances are clean, tidy and in full working order. Then you need to pay all the final bills including electricity, gas, water & Council Tax and give us a copy of the final bills for each with proof that you have paid them all. We will then arrange to return the deposit to you as soon as possible.
As I usually receive the utility bills per quarter, should I wait for the next bills?
Don’t wait for next bills. You should inform the utility companies of the final meter readings on the day of moving out and ask for a final bill and have it redirected to your new forwarding address.
What should be shown in a final bill?
In a final bill, it must show the meter reading and the period covered (up to the end of the contract or the day of moving out, whichever is the latest). When you submit a photocopy of the bill to us, please make sure you give us both front and back pages of the bill so that we can see both the payment amount(s) and the meter readings that the bill covers.
As I’ve switched to another utility company, I have not received a bill yet. Is it essential to present all the final bills for having my deposit back?
Yes. We need documents to show that all bills are paid up to the final meter readings taken on the day of moving out or the end of the contract (whichever is the latest) so the new Tenants are not charged extra for your outstanding bills.
I understand that my Tenancy Agreement ends at the end of June but I am going to move out on 15th of June, can I present a final bill with the meter reading taken on that day i.e. 15th June?
As we have mentioned before, the bill has to cover the day of moving out or the end of Tenancy Agreement, whichever is latest. In this case, the bill should continue up to the end of the Tenancy Agreement i.e. 30th June. (the final meter readings must be those taken on the final date of the Tenancy Agreement and not the date you moved out, although usually there is no difference as there should be no usage if you are not living in the property).
As I pay my utility bills by direct debit/electronic transaction, what do I need to submit with regard to proof of payment?
In the case of payment by direct debit/electronic transaction, a bank statement or a print out from your account showing the related payment or transaction is acceptable.
As I am student, I don’t need to pay any Council Tax. Why do I need to prove this and what counts as proof?
Full-Time students are granted 100% exemption from Council Tax. However, according to the Tenancy Agreement the Tenants, whether they are professionals or students, are responsible for Council Tax.
You can email Manchester City Council at ctax.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk to ask them to confirm that you have been exempt for the full period of your Tenancy then you can forward their reply straight to us.
My Tenancy Agreement ends on 30th June and I have a Council Tax bill covering the period up to 27th June. Can this be used as a final bill?
No. You need to make contact with Manchester City Council informing them that your Tenancy Agreement ends at the end of June and ask for a final bill covering the period up to and including 30th June 2011.
Can I use my deposit to pay for the rent for the final month as well as the final bills?
No. The deposit is kept for the purpose of making sure the Landlord can be compensated in the case of any damage to the property or costs incurred to the Landlord (such as extra cleaning after you move out). Therefore, it can never be used for offsetting any rent arrears or utility bills. Charges will be levied for those who try to use the deposit to offset the final months rent.
I understand my contract ends on 30th June, is it possible to return keys to you few days later?
Any keys that are returned to us after the Tenancy Agreement end date will be charged on a daily rate. This rate will be equivalent to your current rental charge. (For example, if the weekly rent is £70 the daily charge rate will be £10 per day)
I have put up some posters with Blue Tack and I have also hung photographs up with nails; do I need to remove the Blue Tack and nails?
Yes. You must remove all Blue Tack or White Tack; if any is found remaining on the walls we will charge you for its removal and for treatment and repainting of walls. Blue Tack/White Tack leaves greasy marks that need to be specially treated before they are painted over otherwise they soak through the new paint.
It is against our policy for nails to be nailed in any of the walls without permission from the Landlord or our Maintenance Team. If nails or holes are found on the wall, charges may be made for the removal of the nails, fillings and repainting.
Will any of my deposit be deducted if damage to appliance or property is caused by one of my house/flat-mates.
All Tenants are jointly responsible for any damages caused to the property or appliances regardless of who caused the damages. In most cases, the Tenant who caused the damage to the property or the appliances would own up and confirm their responsibility for the charges. However, if no one claims responsibility the charges will be divided equally amongst all the Tenants.
If we present all the required bills to you, how long will it take to have my deposit back?
Once we receive all the final bills, we’ll check all the details to see whether they meet our criteria and correspond to our record. If everything is confirmed okay we will arrange to return the deposit within seven working days by either cheque or bank transfer. Each Tenant would need to confirm individually in writing (by email is fine) either their bank details or a forwarding address where they would like their cheque sent.