Deposits FAQs

A landlord or agent can ask that a property is cleaned to a professional standard. Tenants are responsible for ensuring that the property is returned to the same standard of cleanliness they found their property in at the start of the tenancy, with consideration of any additional cleaning that was carried out shortly after the tenancy began.

If the property is not left in a fit condition, a landlord or agent can recover costs associated with returning the property to the condition it was found in at the start of the tenancy.

For more information, please refer to the Tenant Fees Act 2019: Guidance for tenants.

Yes, if any keys are not returned at the end of your tenancy this could mean that there are deductions from your deposit.

Copied keys or unreturned keys can cost around £10 to £15 to replace. If multiple keys are not returned, it may be more appropriate to replace the lock entirely. Depending on the system, replacing locks can cost between £20.00 to £80.00.

A landlord must return your deposit within 10 days of it first being requested from the tenant. The tenant cannot request that the deposit is returned until the tenancy has officially ended.

Deposit Protection Scheme applies to all deposits for Assured Shorthold Tenancies. By law, a landlord or agent who receives a deposit for such a tenancy must protect the deposit. There are several Government Approved Schemes – we have chosen the DPS (Deposit Protection Scheme) to protect our tenants deposits.

Once a tenancy ends we aim to, return the deposit, via bank transfer, within 10 days. To return the deposit, we must complete the following steps:

1. Property Inspection
   On the day the tenancy ends our team will complete a property inspection. An inspector will complete a full walkthrough of the property detailing its condition in an inspection report.
   
2. Processing of Inspection Report
   Next, a team member will compare the inspection report against the check-in report completed at the end of the tenancy. Any discrepancies between the two reports will be investigated fully.
   
   If there are any deductions, these will be calculated at this stage.
   
3. Feedback
   Within 10 days, the nominated lead tenant will receive an email from a member of team.
   
   The email will include the inspection report in step 1, and, if necessary, a breakdown of any deductions.
   
   The nominated lead tenant is welcome to outline any queries they may have at this stage. We ask that any concerns are raised within 10 days of receipt of step 3.
   
   Bank details will be requested to organise the return of monies.
   
4. Return of Monies and Ending the Process
   All being well and without delay, funds will be returned to the bank details provided.

You will be required to pay 5 weeks rent for your deposit.

Unfortunately, cleaning and the removal of items are the most common reasons for deductions to deposits. Moreover, remedying cleaning issues and removing items can be very costly.

As a business, we are charged to dispose of items. With labour considered, it can cost over £30.00 to dispose of a single TV.

General end of tenancy professional cleaning, on an average five-bedroom house, costs approximately £280.00. In addition to this, professionally cleaning an oven and hob costs on average £90.00. If the fridge freezer has not be defrosted, this means that an additional visit will need to be scheduled. If some items have also been left at the property, the cost of rectifying the cleaning could cost upwards of £400.00.

To avoid the necessity for professional cleaning, we suggest looking to your check-in report to give an accurate representation of the condition the property was provided to you in. Also consider whether any additional, professional cleaning was conducted at the start of your tenancy.

You may consider hiring a professional cleaner; be sure to book them well in advance as demand can be high during busy periods.

Issues with cleaning is the most common reason why a tenant may face deductions at the end of the tenancy. Professionally cleaning a four-bedroom property costs on average £370.00, there can also be significant costs associated with businesses disposing of items left at the end of the tenancy.

To avoid these costs, we suggest that you put a plan together well in advance of when you expect to leave the property. Who, when, and where, is the best place to start.

Your target is to bring the property back to the level of cleanliness as when you moved in, this is usually to a professional standard. Referring to your Check-In report is the best indicator of the condition of the property at the start of your tenancy.

Depending on the size of your home and level cleanliness from the outset, set aside between 4 and 7 hours to clean the property. Bathrooms and kitchens take around 50% of your total cleaning time.

Think about what additional cleaning products you may need and budget accordingly. On top of cleaning products, you may choose to hire a carpet cleaner, or instruct a professional cleaner. Consider that end of tenancy cleaning is usually more expensive than domestic cleaning rates.

Commonly Missed Areas

Bins & Small Appliances

Interior bins, kettles, and toasters are not provided by Wellbridge Property Management, you will need to remove these from the property when your tenancy ends.

Appliances

Clean appliances inside and out. Be sure to consider the below when cleaning the following appliances:

Washing Machine

• Clean inside the filler drawer (this may be removable on your appliance.
  • Clean inside the drum.
  • Clean the filter before you leave the property.

Tumble Dryer

• Empty the water reservoir.
  • Empty and clean the dust filter.

 Oven, Grill, and Extractor Fan

• Consider using a strong oven cleaner.
  • Be sure to clean the grill, hob, and extractor fan.
  • The filters in your extractor fan can go in the dishwasher but may require additional cleaning also.

Fridge Freezer

• Give yourself time to defrost and fully clean the fridge and freezer in advance to you leaving the property.
  • Be sure to set a towel down to collect water when you defrost the fridge and freezer.
  • Turn the appliance(s) off when you leave the property and leave the doors open.

Under Beds

Be remove any refuse and vacuum under beds.

Drawers & Cupboards

Make sure that you have not forgotten any personal belongings. Be sure to wipe out all drawers before you leave the property.

Vacuum Cleaner

If a vacuum cleaner has been provided, assure that your vacuum cleaner has been emptied and cleaned before leaving the property.

Outdoor Areas

Make efforts to guarantee that the outdoor areas, including any bin areas are tidy and free of refuse on the last day of your tenancy.

As we aim to return deposits as soon as possible, it is common that repairs have not been completed at the point of returning your deposit; in turn, receipts may not be available.

Additionally, it may be that deductions to your deposit are not used to repair the specific damage in question. A deduction to the deposit is a compensatory amount used to remedy loss to the landlord; the landlord has no obligation to spend the money to make good damages. Therefore, receipts may not be possible.

Wellbridge deal with two types of deposits, tenancy and holding.

A tenancy deposit is a sum of money that a tenant pays to their landlord or letting agent before moving into a rented property. At the end of the tenancy, if there are issues with damage or cleanliness, there can be deductions to the deposit. The deposit remains the tenant’s money, notwithstanding possible deductions, the deposit is returned to the tenants shortly after the tenancy ends.

To safeguard tenancy deposits associated with Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements, tenancy deposit protection schemes were introduced in 2007 as part of the Housing Act 2004. There are two ways landlords can hold deposits, via a custodial or insured scheme.

Within 30 days of receipt of a tenancy deposit payment, landlords are required to protect the tenancy deposit with a government authorised scheme. Wellbridge uses the Deposit Protection Service (DPS)

Where the deposit is held by the deposit protection scheme, this is a custodial scheme. The scheme is held by the deposit protection scheme until the end of tenancy and is released on the agreement of the tenant and landlord.

Alternatively, there are insured schemes. Deposits are held with the landlord; however, if there is a dispute regarding the return of the deposit at the end of the tenancy, the landlord must give the deposit to the deposit protection scheme. The scheme will then assist the tenant and landlord in reaching an agreement.

Holding deposit

A holding deposit is a payment which demonstrates your commitment to rent a property whilst referencing is complete. As a landlord, we are only able to accept one holding deposit at one time for a property. The holding deposit will be put towards the first rent instalment. Do note, that if the tenancy does not go ahead, there are circumstances wherein the holding deposit can be retained by the landlord; for more information, see the Tenancy Fee Act 2019.