Tenant (Contract-holder) Moves Out

In most cases, the occupier will move out amicably. There are a few housekeeping items to consider before the next occupier moves in.

Meter Readings

Check all meter readings and ensure the outgoing occupier has notified the relevant gas, electricity and water suppliers. A landlord or agent could contact the suppliers directly to be sure.

Inventory and Deposit

Check the inventory ideally with the contract-holder present. If any necessary works are intended to be deducted from the deposit, it is far easier to get these agreed upon between the parties.

Any deposit should be returned following the contract terms and the scheme where it is protected. If the contract-holder has asked for the deposit to be returned and the landlord (or agent) has failed within ten days, they may contact the deposit scheme and raise a dispute.

If the landlord needs more time to establish costs, you should communicate this.

If both parties have agreed to use dispute resolution offered by a deposit scheme, an adjudicator will determine what amounts should be distributed between landlord and contract-holder.

Outstanding Bills

Where the occupier is responsible for paying bills, it is for them to deal directly with the appropriate supplier at the end of the contract. The contract-holder should pay all the final accounts.

Suppose an occupier fails to pay all bills. In that case, the landlord will be able to deduct from the deposit, but only if the contract terms allow for the deposit to be used this way and only if the occupier does not have any genuine grievance with the supplier over the amount payable.