Move-out checklist for renters: get your deposit back

A step-by-step plan to patch, clean and fix minor wear before you move out, so you get your deposit back.

Guides in this project

01Remove adhesive hooks and wall fixings without damaging the paint 02Fill cracks and holes before painting 03Touch up paint without it showing 04Remove mould from grout 05Reseal a bath 06Clean an extractor fan so it actually extracts 07Descale a shower head 08Descale taps without damaging the finish 09Fix a door that won't latch

AB-01Check your tenancy agreement and inventory firstYour tenancy agreement and the check-in inventory decide what condition you need to return the flat to, not general tidiness. Walk round every room with the inventory photos and note only the jobs that match genuine wear since check-in. Don't attempt repairs that are the landlord's job, such as a faulty boiler or an electrical fault - report those to the landlord or agent instead, in writing if possible.

1 each · Tenancy agreement and inventory (your own copies)

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1 each · Notebook or phone, for a job list and photos

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AB-02Buy materials and prepare the flatBuy everything in one trip so you're not making a second journey mid-project. Open windows for ventilation when using filler, paint or silicone, and lay dust sheets in whichever room you're working in. Before you drill, screw or fix anything into a wall, floor or ceiling, check for cables and pipes with a detector - even in a small rented flat, expect to find something unexpected. Plan for a weekend of work plus a few evenings spread across the final week, and budget roughly £40-£90 total for materials depending on how much filler, paint and sealant you need.

2 each · Dust sheets

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1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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1 pack · Cleaning cloths

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AB-03Fill cracks and holes before paintingFollow the guide "Fill cracks and holes before painting" for any nail holes, screw holes or small cracks left from pictures, shelves or furniture. Do this early, because filler needs time to dry fully before painting - usually a few hours to overnight depending on depth. Check for cables and pipes with a detector before pushing filler into any larger hole, in case there's something hidden behind the wall.

1 tub · Multi-purpose filler

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1 each · Filling knife

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1 pack · Fine sandpaper

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AB-04Touch up paint without it showingOnce filler is dry and sanded, follow "Touch up paint without it showing" to blend patches into the existing wall colour. Ask the landlord or agent if they have leftover paint tins from when you moved in - this gives the closest match. Let touch-ups dry fully, usually 24 hours, before pushing furniture back, since true colour only shows once paint has cured.

1 tester pot or small tin · Matching emulsion paint

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1 each · Small roller or brush

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1 roll · Masking tape

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AB-05Remove mould from groutTackle bathroom grout next, using "Remove mould from grout", before you reseal the bath - resealing over mould just traps it underneath. Ventilate the bathroom well and wear gloves, as mould cleaners are strong. This step often takes longer than expected if mould has built up over months, so allow a full evening rather than a quick job.

1 bottle · Mould and mildew remover spray

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1 pair · Rubber gloves

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1 each · Old toothbrush

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AB-06Reseal the bathWith grout clean and dry, follow "Reseal a bath" to replace any cracked or blackened sealant around the bath edge. Old sealant must be fully removed and the area completely dry before new silicone goes on, or it won't stick properly. Leave the new seal to cure for at least 24 hours - check the tube for the exact time - before anyone uses the bath or shower again.

1 tube · Silicone bathroom sealant

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1 each · Sealant remover tool or scraper

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1 roll · Masking tape

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AB-07Clean the extractor fanFollow "Clean an extractor fan so it actually extracts" to clear dust and grease from the bathroom or kitchen fan grille and blades. Turn the fan off at its isolator switch or at the consumer unit before taking the cover off, and never remove the fan body itself. If a fan stays silent, slow or noisy after cleaning, that's a wiring or motor fault - report it to the landlord or agent rather than attempting a repair.

RULES

1 each · Soft brush

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1 bottle · Mild detergent

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1 each · Screwdriver

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KNOW THE RULES

Cleaning a fan isn't notifiable work, but a fault with its wiring or motor is an electrical repair for a registered electrician, arranged by the landlord - not something a tenant should take on.

AB-08Descale the shower headFollow "Descale a shower head" to remove limescale, especially useful in hard water areas - this is a quick task but makes a real difference to how the bathroom feels at check-out. Soak the head rather than scrubbing hard, to avoid scratching the chrome finish. This can run alongside the other bathroom jobs since it mostly just needs soaking time.

1 bottle · Descaler or white vinegar

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1 each · Sandwich bag and elastic band

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1 each · Old toothbrush

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AB-09Fix a door that won't latchFinish with "Fix a door that won't latch" for any internal doors that stick, rattle or don't catch properly - this is one of the most commonly flagged issues at check-out inspections. Check for cables and pipes before drilling into the door frame or nearby wall, even though it's less likely there than in a solid wall. If the door won't latch because the frame itself has moved or warped, that's a structural issue for the landlord, not a tenant repair.

1 each · Screwdriver

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1 pack · Replacement screws

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1 each · Pencil

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AB-10Do a final walkthrough against the inventoryOnce every phase is finished, walk through again with the original check-in inventory and photos, comparing room by room. Take dated photos of your finished work as evidence in case of a deposit dispute later. Put anything genuinely outstanding, such as a real electrical or boiler fault, in writing to the landlord or agent before you hand back the keys.

1 each · Phone camera

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1 each · Printed copy of the inventory

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