It is really important that a thorough inventory check is carried out when you move out of your property so that you can go through any damage that has transpired during the course of your tenancy. You should use the Inventory List that was carried out when you moved into the property and check off whether the general state of the properties fixtures, fittings and furnishings are similar to when you moved in. If this is the case then the landlord should not be able to take money from your deposit for any damages. This list can be very helpful if disputes regarding the condition of any items in the property do arise and the landlord wishes to take money to repair these (more information on this in our handy Deposits guide.)

It is always preferable if your landlord is present at the time of the inventory check so that they can sign off on the list. However, if the landlord is unavailable you should still do the check taking pictures of the condition, preferably with a date stamp, which you can then send to the landlord with the inventory list.

From the date upon which you vacate the property you are no longer liable for any of the utility costs for the property. You therefore need to take a final meter reading upon leaving the property which you can use to close your account with your energy supplier.

How to read your meter differs depending on the typle of meter that you have:

• Digital Gas Meter - can be either imperial or metric.
• Imperial meter - If you have an imperial meter there should be 4 main numbers before the red number including any 0’s at the beginning. It is these four numbers which constitute your meter reading. DO NOT read any red numbers or any numbers after the red numbers
• Metric meter - If you have a metric meter there should be 5 main numbers before the space or decimal point. It is these five numbers which constitute your meter reading including any 0’s at the beginning. DO NOT read any numbers after the space or decimal point.
• Dial Gas Meter - There will be a number of dials. Read the dials from left to right. If the dial is between two numbers use the lower number and if the number is between 9 and 0, use 9, even if this is not the number which the pointer is closest to. If the pointer is exactly on a number underline it. If any of the underlined numbers are followed by a 9 you need to subtract 1 from the number that you underlined. DO NOT read any larger or red dials as these do not constitute part of your reading

From the date upon which you move into the property yourself, and any housemates, become liable for all utility charges. It is worth checking with your landlord when you first move in:

• How the property is heated (i.e. is it gas central heating or electric storage heaters) – it may be that your property does not use gas at all and therefore this stage may be unnecessary for you
• How the gas is paid – some properties have a prepayment meter and others may require that you pay a bill either upon issue or via direct debit beforehand. If there is a prepayment meter installed you need to contact your gas provider and inform that you have just begun a new tenancy so that they can check that your card is not also charging you for any arrears owed to them by a previous tenant prior to your topping up the card
• Where the gas meter is located – it is likely that left to your own devices you would be able to find this but it is just as easy to ask and then take a reading with your landlord present so that the reading can be verified by the landlord then and there. If the landlord is not present you should take a photo of the meter as you take the reading and email this to your landlord straight away as proof that this was done on moving in day
• Who the current gas supplier is – it is this company that you will need to contact to set up a payment plan or to check that the payment card that you will be using is not in arrears. It may be that the landlord gives you permission to change the gas supplier during your tenancy. If this is the case it may be worth taking some time to research which company has the best package for you as utility bills can quickly add up

How to Read your Meter

This differs upon the type of meter that you have:

• Digital Gas Meter - Digital gas meters can be either imperial or metric:
• Imperial - If you have an IMPERIAL meter there should be 4 main numbers before the red number including any 0’s at the beginning. It is these four numbers which constitute your meter reading. DO NOT read any red numbers or any numbers after the red numbers
• Metric - If you have a METRIC meter there should be 5 main numbers before the space or decimal point. It is these five numbers which constitute your meter reading including any 0’s at the beginning. DO NOT read any numbers after the space or decimal point

When you move out of your new property you need to let the council know that you have moved address for council tax purposes, even if your household will be exempt due to you all being students (for more information on this please look at our handy guide on Council Tax.) This will stop them from attempting to contact you in reference to council tax fees payable for the period after you have vacated the property.

Those living in university accomodation

The University will automatically inform the council that you have vacated their accommodation, you therefore do not need to do anything when moving out of University Accommodation.

Those Living within Colchester Borough Council – Within Colchester

You can inform the council of your move via the following online form: https://iconnect.colchester.gov.uk/build/fillform.php?F.Name=fZXPtSdvxJC Alternatively you can contact the council directly via telephone on 1206 282300.

Those Living within Tendring District Council – Within Wivenhoe

You can inform the council of your move via the following online form: http://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/council-tax/changes-you-need-tell-us-about Please note that in order to complete this form you will need to create an online account on the Tendring District Council website. Alternatively you can contact the council directly via email: council.tax@tendringdc.gov.uk or by telephone on 01255 686822.

All landlords of tenants which are signing up to new Assured Shorthold Tenancies (to check whether this includes you check our Tenancy Agreement Guide ) need to ensure that their tenants deposits are held within a Government Accredited Tenancy Deposit Scheme. When vacating the premises it is a good idea to discuss with your landlord whether they wish to deduct any money from your deposit for damage to the property. This will give you some idea of the deductions which may be made to your deposit. For more information how to then proceed with claiming back your deposit look at our handy guide.

You will need to contact your Gas, Water, Internet and Electricity suppliers to let them know that you are leaving the property and so no longer liable for the bills. For your electricity and gas supplier this will mean that you will need to supply your final meter reading so that they can debit or credit you based upon your actual usage during the tenancy.

It is important that you alert people to your change of address. The most important people to alert are:

• The University - this can be done on your MyEssex Portal
• Your doctor
• Your bank, if you want bank statements to be sent to you
• Your parents, so that they don’t worry about where you are
• Any companies that you have a subscription with so that your items are sent to you

 

It is also advisable that you update any online sites where you often make online purchases to delete this address from being your default to avoid you sending items to other tenants.