Your deposit is often a month's rent or more, and landlords look for reasons to keep a slice of it. The good news: almost everything they check is fixable in an afternoon if you plan for it. Here's the move-out checklist that gets renters their full deposit back.
Start the day you move in
The easiest deposit to protect is the one you plan for on day one. Photograph the flat before you unpack, keep a small pot of filler and a sample of each wall colour, and favour damage-free fixings from the start. Everything in our no-drill range is chosen so there's nothing to repair later.
Walls: fill, sand, touch up
Nail and screw holes are the most common deduction. Fill each with lightweight filler, sand it flush once dry, and dab on matching paint. A pea-sized hole disappears completely. For the full method, see how to fill nail holes on move-out.
Adhesive strips: peel slowly
Removed wrong, mounting strips lift paint and cost you. Pull the tab slowly and straight down the wall so the adhesive stretches and releases. Never rip at an angle.
Deep-clean the overlooked spots
Inspectors check the places you forget: oven, extractor filter, skirting boards, inside cupboards, the fridge seal. A clean flat signals a careful tenant and heads off cleaning deductions.
The final walk-through
Walk each room against your move-in photos. Anything that changed, fix or flag. Hand over the keys with the flat looking like the pictures you took the day you arrived.
Frequently asked questions
What do landlords deduct deposits for most?
Wall damage from nails and hooks, cleaning, and marks or stains. All three are avoidable with damage-free fixings, a paint sample kept from day one, and a proper clean before you leave.
How do I hide holes from hooks and shelves?
Fill with lightweight filler, sand flush, and touch up with matching paint. Keep an offcut of your wall colour so the repair is invisible.
How can I avoid wall repairs altogether?
Use over-door racks, magnetic hooks, adhesive strips, and freestanding pieces instead of drilling. There's nothing to fill on the way out.
Keep reading: The Complete Guide to Decorating a Rental.