Help & Support

Before you move out, take the time to thoroughly clean your home. Make sure every corner is spotless and pay special attention to the following areas:

• Kitchen: Clean all kitchen cupboards and drawers. Remove any grease from walls or ceilings. Ensure that the kitchen is free from any stains or dirt
• Bathroom: Clean toilets, baths, basins, and sinks. Remove all limescale and ensure they are sparkling clean
• Windows: Clean windows, frames, handles, and sills to ensure they are free from dirt and smudges
• Mould and mildew: Check for any mould or mildew and remove it properly to maintain a clean and hygienic environment

As you prepare to move out, it's important to remove all your personal belongings and clear out any unwanted items. Follow these guidelines:

• General clearing: Empty your home, including the garden, loft, and shed, of all personal belongings and rubbish
• White goods: Safely disconnect and remove all white goods, such as cookers, fridges, freezers, washing machines, and dishwashers, unless they’re owned by us or the landlord
• Flooring and carpets: Remove carpets, flooring, grippers, and underlay, unless they are in exceptionally good condition or owned by us or the landlord
• Window treatments: Remove curtains, curtain rails, and blinds, unless they were installed by the landlord
• Self-fitted items: Take out any shelves, cabinets, or cupboards that you have fitted yourself

Before leaving, make sure that your home is in good repair and any damages are addressed. Follow these repair guidelines:

• Kitchen: Ensure that kitchen cupboards, doors, drawers, worktops, and plinths are in good working condition
• Electrical fixtures: Check electrical sockets, light fittings, switches, and other fixtures for any damage
• Certificates: Provide relevant electrical certificates for any changed fixtures to demonstrate their safety
• Doors and windows: Check for any broken glass in doors or windows and replace if necessary
• Walls: Ensure that walls are in good condition, well decorated, and free from holes, stickers, or damages. Fill any holes and remove stickers
• Coving, tiling, and mouldings: Remove polystyrene coving, tiling, and mouldings. Repair any damages caused by their removal
• Bannisters and skirting boards: Check that all the bannisters, skirting boards, and rails are in good condition and none are missing
• Internal doors: Make sure there are no missing or damaged doors or glazing in internal doors
• Tiles: Ensure that wall and floor tiles are secure and in good condition
• Radiators: Check that radiators are securely fixed to the wall and are not damaged
• Basins and baths: Ensure that all basins and baths have plugs and chains fitted

In addition to cleaning, clearing out, and addressing repairs, there are a few other important aspects to consider before you hand over your home:

• Large alterations: Remove any large alterations that were approved to be installed, such as conservatories, greenhouses, or stairlifts, unless they are in excellent condition
• Garden: Ensure that the garden is in a manageable condition with trimmed grass, shrubs, and hedges
• Fences: Ensure that fences are secure and in good condition

As part of the handover process, you need to return your keys. Follow these instructions:

• Key deposit: Deposit your keys, including fobs and communal keys, in the designated key safe by 10 am on the Monday after your tenancy ends
• Avoid mailing keys: It is not advised to mail the keys, as they may get lost. If they are lost, you will be held responsible for rent and the cost of lock changes