Moving out right: protect your deposit and leave on good terms

Moving out of a shared house has more admin than moving in, and the stakes are higher because your deposit is on the line. Here is a thorough guide to leaving properly.

Give proper notice. Check your tenancy agreement for the required notice period (usually one or two months). Give notice in writing (email is fine) and keep a copy. If you are on a joint tenancy, check whether your leaving affects everyone else's agreement.

Deep clean everything. The single most common reason for deposit deductions is cleaning. The standard is "professional clean" level, which means: oven cleaned inside and out (including racks and trays), fridge and freezer defrosted and wiped, all kitchen surfaces and cupboard fronts wiped, bathroom scrubbed (including limescale, grout, behind the toilet), all floors hoovered and mopped, windows cleaned inside, skirting boards wiped, light fittings dusted, and all personal items removed from every room.

Fix minor damage. Fill small nail holes with filler and sand smooth. Touch up scuff marks on walls if you have matching paint. Replace any lightbulbs that have blown. These small fixes cost pennies but can save you tens of pounds in deductions.

Photograph everything. Just like move-in day, photograph every room from multiple angles once it is clean and empty. Include close-ups of any pre-existing damage that was noted on the inventory. Email the photos to yourself for a timestamped record.

Return all keys. Every single key, fob, and remote. Landlords charge a fortune for unreturned keys. Count them, photograph them before handover, and get written confirmation that they were returned.

Take meter readings. On your last day, photograph the gas and electricity meters. Submit final readings to your energy provider to avoid being charged for the next tenant's usage. Do the same for water if you are on a meter.

Redirect your post. Set up Royal Mail redirection (or your country's equivalent) for at least three months. Update your address with your bank, GP, HMRC, subscriptions, and any online shopping accounts.

Settle all shared costs. Go through Casamates and make sure every shared expense is settled. The app shows exactly who owes what, so there is no guessing. No one should leave owing money; it sours relationships and can follow you if your former flatmates leave bad references.

Check the inventory against move-in. Compare the state of the property against the original inventory (and your move-in photos). Anything that has deteriorated beyond fair wear and tear is a potential deduction. If you disagree with a proposed deduction, our Deposit Deduction Estimator can help you build a case.