Getting your Security Deposit Returned

Trying to get your full deposit returned at the end of your tenancy can be a frustrating and sometimes costly experience, especially when you feel that your rental property has been left in the same condition it was at the beginning of your lease period.  The team at BordeauxLife thought it would be useful to share some of our experience with you about the steps you can take, throughout the duration of your tenancy, to ensure that deductions are kept to a minimum.

Maintenance Issues
Make sure that all maintenance issues have been reported, in writing, to your property manager (agent or landlord). If issues go unreported and this leads to the item in question deteriorating faster than it would have otherwise, there could be reasonable cause for the landlord to try to make a claim on your deposit.

Picture Hooks/Holes in Walls
We see this being claimed for frequently. Even if permission has been given for you to hang pictures, please make sure that you have used the correct picture hooks. Double check your tenancy agreement as it will usually contain a clause relating to the hanging of pictures and the removal of hooks and making good of walls. 

Marks and Scuffs on Walls
A certain amount of marks to walls are acceptable. After all, you do need to be able to live in your property without constantly worrying about touching anything! An allowance must be made for fair wear and tear - basically the marks made during the general day to day living in a property. The level of fair wear and tear allowed depends on the number of people living at the property and the length of the tenancy.

Lightbulbs (seriously!)
This is another claim we see on a regular basis. It is down to you, as a tenant, to replace any blown light bulbs at the end of the tenancy. If this isn’t done before the property is handed back then a charge will be made for the cost of the light bulbs plus the cost of a contractor to fit them!

Cleaning
A rental property should be handed back to the landlord in the same state of cleanliness as it was at the beginning of the tenancy, as shown in the Etat des Lieux Entree (incoming inventory). It is  always a good idea to arrange for a professional cleaning company to carry out an end of tenancy clean as they will include steam cleaning the carpets, cleaning the windows inside and out and kitchen appliance cleaning.  We always recommend that you pay particular attention to toilets, baths, showers etc - basically anywhere that involves water.  Remember that Bordeaux is an extremely hard water area and heavy calcium deposits are difficult and expensive to remove.

Missing Items
If you have rented a furnished property, all items listed on the incoming inventory must still be in place at the end of the tenancy. If you wish to dispose of anything at all make sure you contact the agent or landlord in writing to ask the question and ask them to confirm in writing to you that it has been agreed.

Items Left at the Property
Before you leave your rental property make sure that you have completely removed all of your furniture and personal items and ensure that all rubbish has been removed. Claims on your deposit can be made for the removal of any remaining rubbish.

Damage
This is classed as anything that is considered above fair wear and tear, for example, issues such as a dent to a fridge door, broken tiles or scratches on wooden floors would be considered as damage.

If you would like to learn more about our services, which include assistance with notice to terminate rental, your outgoing Etat des Lieux, cancelling utilities and insurance and much more, then please don't hesitate to get in touch via our contact page.