STUDENT LANDLORDS - TIME TO CHECK IN

Many landlords will soon check in their new student tenants. Time to think about the check out!

Students excited about moving in? Moving out seems a long way off? Planting some key thoughts at the start may alter the way they behave during the tenancy and help avoid hassle when they move out.

Our check out leaflet is succinct with a 'start here, follow this simple information and avoid loosing your deposit', approach. Don't just give them a leaflet. Many will never get round to reading it until it's too late at the end of the tenancy. You have a captive audience at the check in. Take time to stress key words such as 'clean cooker', 'walls not damaged by posters', 'stains on carpets'. 'rubbish' and 'loss of deposit'.

Our leaflet includes information on cleaning, damage, tenantable repairs, key return, cleaning carpets and furnishings, maintaining the garden, raising charges (or returning the deposit) and the inventory.

If you are interested in creating your own check out leaflet then this extract from our cleaning section might be a good starting point.

'Cleaning products should be appropriate for the job and any instructions, particularly safety instructions, carefully observed.

Use the steps provided for higher level cleaning.

The property should be returned to us cleaned to a good standard, as indicated in the Inventory and Schedule of Condition or you should pay for a professional clean.

We charge for removing rubbish that is not in a wheelie bin or red box and for sorting out rubbish that has been wrongly placed in a bin/box at the end of the tenancy.

You could borrow a carpet cleaner, hire one or employ a company to clean the carpets. Carpets often contain deep dirt, which is difficult to remove with a vacuum cleaner. They can take several hours to clean and dry, so do this about a week before you check out. A carpet cleaner such as a 'Rug Doctor' can usually be hired from a place such as Tesco or Homebase.

Carpets might need treating with a stain remover before cleaning. Carpets may be replaced, if badly damaged or stained.

Windows, paint work, hard floors, skirting boards, mirrors, bins, window/door frames, lampshades, drawers, tops of cupboards/wardrobes, plastic Venetian blind slats should be carefully cleaned with an appropriate cleaning product.

Have you spilt anything on the furnishings? Does a curtain or furniture cover need removing, washed or dry cleaned and ironed before being re-hung or refitted?

Cleaning a cooker, which has not had regular attention, can take several hours. Remove burnt on grease from around hob rings, oven(s), cooker shelves, grill and oven pans. A stainless steel pad and 'elbow grease' will help clean neglected cooker shelves and enamelled pans. A product such as 'Oven Pride' could be used on oven racks - follow meticulously the safety instructions. Only use 'Hob Brite' or similar on 'glass' cooker hobs.

Fridges/freezers should be defrosted, switched off, cleaned both inside and out, dried and door(s) left ajar.

Appliances in the kitchen should be moved forward to ensure the sides of the appliance and the floor and wall behind are clean.

Empty the vacuum cleaner and if necessary clean/replace filters and dust bag.

Clean the washing machine filter, rubber seal and powder container.

If applicable, clean grass cuttings off the lawn mower.

Treat mould/stains on grout, tiles, walls and ceilings in bathrooms. Clean the shower head.

Marks can often be wiped off paint work and walls.

Stained mattresses will be replaced.

Furniture, including beds, should be carefully moved and, if appropriate, cleaned inside underneath and behind and, if necessary, returned to its original position at the start of the tenancy.'

Students often have only half an idea about cleanliness, particularly if they have had most of it done for them at home. Attention to detail now, will make students more aware of their responsibilities and help stop situations at the end of the tenancy. Avoid the hassle of "I didn't know we had to do that" by giving them a check out leaflet at the start of the tenancy.