Moving Out
Moving out of your accommodation may be less exciting than moving in, but it’s also very important to get it right if you want your deposit back. Hopefully you will have looked after your accommodation all year and there won’t be any scuffs or chips anywhere.
Cleaning
It may not be the most exciting task, but if your accommodation isn’t left clean you could be charged for professional cleaners out of your deposit. Taking a few hours before you leave to clean could save you a lot of money in the long run. If your landlord hasn’t given you a list of what to clean when you move out, a good rule of thumb to leave it as you found it.
Donate, Don't Waste
Sheffield City Council operate a scheme for clear sacks which you can use to dispose of excess refuse. The scheme changes slightly each year but usually runs towards the end of June until early July. Look out for information, or come and visit us in the Smart Move Sheffield office to find out more.
Storage
There may be some personal belongings that you can't take home with you over the Summer but would like to keep for your next home. If you’re moving into a house next year, you could ask the landlord if it would be possible to leave some of them in the new house. This will depend on whether the current tenants have already left the property, or whether the landlord is carrying out any major renovations.
Unfortunately, the University is not able to store belongings for you. You might want to look at private companies where you can rent for a fee some space in a secure facility. These include Big Yellow Storage and Armadillo Storage, or a provider such as UniKitOut, who offer discounts for University of Sheffield students.
When Do I have to Move Out?
This will depend on what you agreed to with the landlord and should be clearly stated in your tenancy agreement. The most common date for the end of a student tenancy agreement in Sheffield is the 30th June, but it could be any time on this day. If you can’t find your tenancy agreement, ask the landlord. You may be charged if you move out late, so be careful to follow the instructions.
What Do I Do With My Keys?
Again, this will be dependent on your agreement with the landlord and should be clearly stated in your tenancy agreement. Common examples are to leave the keys on the kitchen table when you leave, post them through the front door after you have locked it or return it to the letting agent, if there is one. Ensure you haved checked your agreement,or if you can’t find it, ask your landlord. You may be charged if you fail to return the keys to the landlord.
Bills
It is important to remember to close any accounts you may have set up for bills. If you don’t cancel your account you may continue to be charged, or find that your landlord holds your deposit until seeing proof of final payments.
How do I Close My Account with the Provider?
Hopefully by now you should know who your providers are, and if you still have a bill lying around their contact number should be readily available. If not, a quick web search should locate their contact details.
You will need to let them know that you are leaving the property and provide them with a final meter reading as well as a forwarding address for the final bill. This will usually reach you in a few working days which you can then pay.
You will need to do this for all of your suppliers – gas, electricity and water, as well as the internet/tv package/tv license etc.
TV License
Depending on how long you were residing in the property for, and how long you used your TV license you may be entitled to a partial refund. They can be refunded in blocks of 3 months only, so you will need at least 3 full months remaining on your license. More details can be found here.
Why are There Cancellation Fees?
Some energy tariffs, or more commonly broadband or television packages may have a cancellation fee if you are looking to end the contract early. Just like if you ended your mobile phone contract early, you need to pay for the remainder of the contract. It’s no different with your other bills. You might be able to find any details of charges in the terms and conditions you agreed to (if you have a copy) or by contacting the providers to enquire about cancellation.