FAQ's & T&C's

When you start renting a home from a private landlord, you will usually pay a deposit. Your landlord must protect your deposit under the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. This scheme makes sure you’ll get your deposit back when you move out if you looked after the property and paid your rent.

We are a member of the TDS (Tennant Deposit Scheme) and you can check this on their website https://www.tenancydepositscheme.com/

Soton Lettings can still charge tenants for losing their keys (or other security device if your property is high-tech). We can only charge a reasonable amount for which we need to provide evidence of the cost to the tenant.

Remember: default fees are  included in the tenancy agreementes.

Please see permitted payments below. 

Early termination will result in covering all costs which would have been incurred by the landlord, i.e. the loss of rent, costs for re-marketing and referencing etc. The tenant will be liable for the full rent until a new tenant has been introduced and a replacement tenancy has started.

1 month before you move
Order packing materials (cases, boxes etc.)
Start packing non-essential items
Book the days needed off work to move
Start getting rid of possessions and furniture you no longer need
2 weeks before you move
Arrange for your mail to be redirected
Start to use up any food in your freezer
Arrange the utilities in your new home – gas, electricity, broadband, telephone. Don’t forget to shop around for the best deal.
If you’re planning to have TV media services, check whether you can move your current provider to your new property.
Let friends and family know about your change of address
Sort out care for your children and pets on moving day (if necessary)
Arrange your contents insurance for your new home
If you’re moving to a city with parking restrictions, apply for your on-street parking permit
1 week before you move
Thoroughly clean your old home and tidy the garden
Let your current council know you’re moving, and speak to the new council to arrange payment of Council Tax (if necessary)
Change your address with your bank, DVLA, HMRC, TV Licensing, credit cards etc.
Defrost your freezer
If you’re renting, take detailed photos of each room and area, covering any wear and tear you’re concerned might cause issues with your deposit
Start packing all items – remember to label boxes to make unpacking easier
The day before you move
Pack an overnight bag with essentials for the first day in your new home
Box up your remaining items. Leave the kettle on top so you can make a cuppa when you arrive in your new kitchen!

Moving day
Take a note of your final meter readings in your old home
Make sure all windows and doors are locked and that you’ve not left anything behind
Collect the keys for your new home
If you’re renting, inspect the new property and identify any damage or issues you may need to raise with the landlord/agents. Take photos as appropriate
Take the meter readings of the new property, again use your phone to take pictures for you to refer to if necessary.
Leave a contact address with the occupants or letting agents of your old house, in case they want to forward on any post (if you have a redirect you don’t need to do this).
After your move
Update the electoral register
Update HMRC / Inland Revenue
Make sure to update your address with the DVLA for both your driving license and your car registration log book
Update your bank
Register with a doctor, dentist and optician (if necessary)
Sort your contents insurance (if you haven’t already)
Register with your local council
Inform TV Licensing
Update any credit commitments i.e. loan providers, credit cards, store cards
Update any insurers i.e. car, (of course, home), pet and any others such as pension providers.
Tell your employer, don’t assume they know you’ve moved!

Ensure you’ve covered every part of your check-out with our checklist below:

Council Tax

Ensure to contact your local authority and inform them of your moving date and where you’ll be moving to, so they have a forwarding address on file.

Utilities

Also get in contact with your utility suppliers and let them know you’ll be leaving, then after check-out you can provide the meter reading to officially close your account. Ensure they don’t stop the service unless the landlord says so. Utilities include water and sewage, electricity, gas, telephone and broadband, media services and TV licence. If you have an oil tank or propane gas cylinder this should be topped up to the same level as it was when you moved in.

Change of details

Contact anyone that holds personal details for you and provide them with your new address, such as:

• Banks
• Insurance company
• Doctors
• DVLA for motor insurance and driving license
• HMRC
• Building society
• Friends and family
• Your workplace

It’s also worth setting up a Royal Mail redirection service for the first few months after check-out.

Condition of property

Before you move out remind yourself of any specific end-of-tenancy requirements for you property (these are usually found in the terms of your tenancy agreement).You should make sure that the property is in the same condition if was let out in and that each term is met. The property may require professional cleaning, depending on the terms, but additional things to consider doing include:

• Clearing out the gutters
• Sweeping out the chimney
• Cleaning the windows (inside and out)
• Dry-cleaning the upholstery, curtains and linen
• Ensuring the garden and/or outdoor space is in a seasonal condition
• Defrost your freezer – this is something many forget to do when they vacate a property. Check out this guide from Which? to find out how to do it.

Make sure all receipts are kept for the above as well where relevant.

Also make sure each item is left where you found it when you checked in, especially if your property was originally furnished. If there are objects which are missing or damaged, tell the letting agent or landlord before checking out to find out how to best replace or repair them. If the property is deemed unfit for check-out, the inventory clerk may cease the appointment and you’ll be charged a cancellation fee.

Remove your belongings

Ensure all your belongings have been removed from the property. It may either involve using packing boxes or hiring a removal service.

Lock up

Locate all the keys, label them appropriately and return them upon check-out, especially alarm fobs as they can be quite expensive to replace. Also make sure all instruction manuals are located and left in the property.

Inform the bank

When you’ve made the final rental payment, contact the bank to cancel the standing order mandate. They will only act on your instruction and if you don’t inform them of the cancellation they will continue making the payment.

Deposit return

Your deposit won’t be returned to you until both you and the landlord are in agreement and confirm this to the letting agent. If a disagreement occurs, the undisputed amount can be released to you as agreed and the remainder will be kept until an appropriate outcome has been agreed. Depending on your landlord’s service agreement with the letting agent, the agent may negotiate with you and the landlord to return your deposit.

• Rent dependent on property 
• Tenancy deposit – 5 weeks of monthly rent amount 
• Lost Keys & Other Security Control – £20 
• Contract Variations requested by tenant – £250 
• Early Termination requested by tenant – 1 months notice 
• Council Tax & Utility  Bills (inc TV Licence & Communications Services  – Tenant is responsible until last day of contract and providers must be paid in full and informed you have vacated the property.