Kate is one of the top property experts in the UK and regularly quoted in the press including the Telegraph, Independent, Times, Daily Mail and Express, and has appeared on BBC2, as well as featured on BBC Radio 4 and a number of local BBC Radio stations. Kate has also been a consultant to the property sector for a number of years and is the author of a number of books, including four for Which? - Buy, Sell, Move House, Renting and Letting, Develop your Property and the Property Investment Handbook. Contact Kate Faulkner at http://www.designsonproperty.co.uk/
Once you've given notice to terminate your tenancy, there are a number of steps you must follow before you vacate your rental property. If you want all your deposit monies back and/or be able to rent another property, follow our essential guide below.
1. Clear up any outstanding rental payments to the letting agent/landlord and ensure you receive any money they agreed to pay you (again best to have this in writing) eg money for repairs you carried out, re-decoration etc.
2. Make sure you cancel your rent payment in time and on the correct date as sometimes it can be hard and a lengthy process to get the monies back.
3. Discuss with your agent about cancelling utilities including gas, electricity, phone/internet/cable, water, TV licence and your council tax.
4. Ensure on the day you move that the meter readings (gas, electricity and water) are independently checked (you need to give 10 days’ notice).
5. Don’t forget to change your address for everyone! Use www.moveme.com for help.
6. Ensure your insurance will cover your items while they are being moved.
7. Set up your utilities and services in your next home (you may be able to transfer your TV licence).
8. Have all the keys ready to hand back to the agent/landlord on move out day. DO NOT give them to a new tenant yourself.
9. Keep hold of your tenancy agreement and paperwork until you have had your deposit returned in full.
10. Ask for a reference ‘to whom it may concern’ which states you were a good tenant and paid your bills on time.
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