The Dos and Don’ts of Deposit Deductions: Advice for Landlords

The Dos and Don’ts of Deposit Deductions: Advice for Landlords

When a tenancy ends, there’s often confusion over what a landlord can claim as a deposit deduction.

So, let’s look at what landlords can claim for at the end of a tenancy*:

• Unpaid rent or bills.
• Damage caused by negligence or recklessness.
• Anything in the property at check-in that is missing at check-out, such as furniture or appliances.
• Cleaning or gardening not carried out to the standard specified in the contract.
• Removing belongings or rubbish left by the tenant.
• Lost rent if the tenant vacates the property early without agreement.

Avoiding disputes

The best way to avoid stressful deposit disputes is to:

• Create a detailed check-in inventory with photographs and descriptions.
• Build a good rapport with tenants and conduct regular inspections.
• Use an experienced letting agent.

If you’d like more advice on managing a tenancy, contact us today.

* This information does not constitute legal advice.