Getting your full tenancy deposit back isn't luck. It comes down to evidence, timing and cleaning to the right standard. These are the 12 steps we'd follow if we were moving out of a rental in High Wycombe, Marlow or anywhere in Buckinghamshire.
Before you move out
1. Find your check-in inventory
Everything at check-out is compared with the check-in inventory. Dig it out (or ask your agent for a copy) and read it carefully — note what condition each room, appliance and carpet was in when you arrived.
2. Check your deposit is protected
Your landlord should have protected your deposit with the DPS, mydeposits or TDS within 30 days and sent you the details. You can check on each scheme's website. Knowing which scheme holds it tells you where to go if there's a dispute.
3. Give notice properly and confirm the check-out date
Give notice in writing as your tenancy agreement requires, and ask the agent to confirm the check-out date and time in writing.
4. Fix small damage early
Fill picture-hook holes if your agreement allows, replace blown bulbs, tighten loose handles and replace anything you've broken. Small repairs are cheap for you and expensive as deductions.
The clean
5. Clean to check-out standard, not “tidy”
Inventory clerks focus on the same places every time: inside the oven, the extractor filter, limescale on taps and shower screens, mould in sealant, skirting boards, tops of doors, light switches, window tracks, inside cupboards and the carpet where furniture stood. Work through our room-by-room end of tenancy checklist.
6. Tackle limescale properly
Buckinghamshire's hard water is the single biggest reason local check-outs get flagged. A bathroom can look clean and still show scale on the chrome. See our limescale removal guide.
7. Don't forget the outside and the bins
If you had a garden, mow and weed it to the condition on the inventory. Empty and rinse bins, and clear any rubbish — leaving it behind is a common, avoidable charge.
8. Consider a professional clean
You aren't required to use a professional cleaner, but a clean done to inventory standard — with a dated certificate and invoice — is strong evidence in a dispute and saves a long weekend of scrubbing. Our end of tenancy cleaning in High Wycombe starts from £120 and includes a free re-clean if anything is flagged within 48 hours.
Evidence and handover
9. Take dated photos and video of every room
After the clean and before you hand back the keys, photograph every room, inside the oven, fridge and cupboards, bathroom fittings, carpets and walls. A slow walk-through video is even better. Keep them with your check-in inventory.
10. Read meters and return every key
Photograph the gas, electricity and water meter readings. Return all keys, fobs and permits, and get a receipt.
11. Attend the check-out if you can
Being there lets you see any issues raised and, where possible, fix them on the spot.
12. Respond to proposed deductions in writing
If your landlord proposes a deduction you disagree with, reply in writing with your evidence. If you can't agree, raise a dispute with your deposit scheme — the service is free and the landlord has to justify any deduction.
Timing tip: book your end of tenancy clean as early as possible. Month-end slots fill up first, and a clean the day before check-out leaves time to fix anything that's missed.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a landlord have to return a deposit?
In England, once the amount is agreed it must be returned within 10 days.
Do I have to pay for a professional clean when I move out?
No — your landlord can't require it. You must return the property as clean as it was at check-in, minus fair wear and tear.
What is classed as fair wear and tear?
Normal deterioration from everyday use — lightly worn carpets, minor scuffs, faded paint. Dirt, grease, limescale build-up and damage aren't fair wear and tear.
What's the most common reason for cleaning deductions?
In our experience: ovens, limescale in bathrooms and kitchens, and dust on skirting, door tops and inside cupboards.