End of Tenancy Guide

As your tenancy comes to an end, there are a few important steps you'll need to complete before leaving the property.

Following the guidance in this document will help ensure a smooth check-out process and minimise the likelihood of deductions from your tenancy deposit.

1. Giving Notice

As set out in your tenancy agreement, you are required to give at least 28 days' written notice if you wish to end your tenancy.

Once notice has been received, we'll make arrangements for the end of your tenancy, including the final property inspection.

2. Final Property Inspection

55 Rent will carry out a final inspection after your tenancy has ended.

To allow us to complete the inspection thoroughly, please ensure that:

• Floors and walkways are clear.
• Worktops and surfaces are free from personal belongings.
• Cupboards, wardrobes and drawers are emptied.
• All personal belongings have been removed from the property.

Where possible, inspections are carried out once all tenants have vacated and every room is fully accessible.

During the inspection we'll also record the final gas and electricity meter readings.

3. Cleaning

At the start of your tenancy, your property will have been professionally deep cleaned to a high standard. This includes a professional oven clean, and all mattresses will have been professionally cleaned and fitted with mattress protectors before your arrival.

At the end of your tenancy, we expect the property to be returned in the same standard of cleanliness.

You have three options:

Option 1 – Clean the Property Yourself

You may choose to clean the property yourselves before you leave. If you do, the property should be returned to the same standard of cleanliness in which it was provided at the start of your tenancy.

Option 2 – Appoint Your Own Professional Cleaner

You may arrange for your own professional cleaning company to carry out the end of tenancy clean.

Option 3 – Ask 55 Rent to Arrange the Cleaning

If you prefer, 55 Rent can arrange a professional end of tenancy clean on your behalf.

The cost of this service will be deducted from your tenancy deposit, and we'll provide details of the cleaning charges once the work has been completed.

Our Assessment

Following the end of your tenancy, we'll assess the overall cleanliness and condition of the property.

Our aim is simply to return the property to the same standard in which it was presented at the start of your tenancy, ready for the next tenants.

4. Before You Leave

Please ensure you have completed the following before leaving the property.

Personal Belongings

• Remove all personal belongings.
• Remove all food from cupboards, the fridge and freezer.
• Empty all wardrobes, cupboards and drawers.
• Remove all bedding, clothing and personal items.

Furniture & Contents

• Return all furniture to its original room and position.
• Return rugs to their original locations.
• Rehang any pictures or artwork that were removed.
• Remove any posters, hooks or decorations you have installed where appropriate.

Waste & Recycling

• Empty all internal bins.
• Remove all rubbish and recycling.
• Ensure no rubbish or bin bags remain inside the property or in communal areas.

Keys

Return all sets of keys as instructed by 55 Rent or leave them on the kitchen table if requested.

Replacement keys or lock changes may be charged where keys are not returned.

Items Left Behind

Any belongings left in the property after your tenancy has ended may be removed and disposed of. The cost of removal and disposal may be deducted from your tenancy deposit.

5. Utilities

Before leaving the property, please remember to:

• Take final gas and electricity meter readings.
• Contact your utility suppliers.
• Close your gas and electricity accounts.
• Pay any outstanding balances.
• Email us confirmation or a screenshot showing your utility accounts have been settled and closed.

6. Council Tax

If applicable, please notify Fife Council that you are leaving the property and provide your forwarding address.

If you are a student, please ensure your Council Tax exemption is updated as appropriate.

7. Rent Payments

If you pay your rent by standing order, please remember to cancel it with your bank after your final rent payment has been made.

Failure to do so may result in additional rent payments being made after your tenancy has ended.

8. Redirecting Your Mail

55 Rent is unable to forward mail after your tenancy has ended.

If you expect to receive post after moving out, we recommend arranging a Royal Mail Redirection before you leave the property.

9. Deposit Return

Following the end of your tenancy, 55 Rent will carry out a final inspection and assess the condition of the property against the original inventory and check-in records.

Where necessary, we'll arrange cleaning, repairs or replacement of damaged or missing items before calculating any proposed deductions from your tenancy deposit.

Before any deductions are submitted to the tenancy deposit scheme, we'll send you:

• A schedule of any proposed deposit deductions.
• A clear explanation of each proposed deduction.
• Supporting photographic evidence where appropriate.
• Copies of quotations or invoices where available.

This gives you the opportunity to review the proposed deductions before they are submitted.

Once this stage has been completed, the proposed deductions will be submitted to the Scottish tenancy deposit scheme, which independently administers the return of your deposit.

If you disagree with any proposed deduction, the tenancy deposit scheme offers a free and impartial dispute resolution service, where both parties can submit evidence for independent adjudication.

Our aim is always to deal with deposit returns fairly, transparently and as quickly as possible.

10. End of Tenancy Checklist

Before leaving your property, please make sure you have:

1.  Given the required notice
2.  Removed all personal belongings
3.  Emptied the fridge and freezer
4.  Emptied all bins and recycling
5.  Returned furniture to its original position
6.  Returned all keys
7.  Taken final meter readings
8.  Closed your gas and electricity accounts
9.  Cancelled your broadband (if applicable)
10.  Cancelled your standing order
11.  Arranged Royal Mail redirection (if required)
12.  Informed Fife Council (where applicable)