Posted 1 month ago
Wed 23 Apr, 2025 12:04 AM
Nobody wants to lose money over a dirty microwave when you move out, which is why it's important to clean your flat thoroughly before you leave – and it pays to know what could land you a cleaning or damage charge.
From your own room to shared spaces, the accommodation team will check everything over once you've left. If things aren't up to scratch or something's been damaged, there might be a fee.
To help you avoid any surprise charges, here's a breakdown of the common things students get billed for:
Keys 🔐
- Replace lost bedroom key
- Replace lost front door key
- Replace locks due to loss of keys
- Gain access to room our of hours if locked out
- Replace post locker key
- Replace accommodation access card/Student ID card
- Replace bike locker key
Cleaning charges 🫧
This includes the entrance, corridors, lounge, bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom.
- Vacuum carpet
- Shampoo carpet
- Rubbish removal
- Wipe clean furniture/work surfaces/windows/sink & drainer/bin/seating
- Wipe clean and degrease walls
- Remove food, defrost and clean fridge/freezer
- Degrease and clean bath, shower, toilet and wash hand basin
- Sweep and mop flooring
We'll be looking for any damage to:
- Bed base
- Chest of drawers
- Desk
- Desk chair
- Kitchen chair
- Kitchen table
- Mattress
- Wardrobe
- Mirror
- Cooker
- Hob
- Freezer
- Fridge
- Microwave
- Microwave combination oven
- Sink & drainer
- Work surface
- Waste bin
- Fire blanket
- Fire extinguisher refill/replacement
- Smoke/heat detector
- Extractor fan
- Socket
- Vacuum cleaner
- Wash hand basin
- Ironing board
- Iron
- Radiator/Wall heater
- Shower unit (including the shower head)
- Pair of curtains
- Net curtains
- Blinds
There might be other items that aren't mentioned here, but if something is broken or damaged, you could still be charged for it.
The cost you're charged will also cover the actual repair or replacement price, plus any call-out fees, disposal costs, and VAT where appropriate.
More good to know information
In shared areas like kitchens or lounges – if something's a mess or needs fixing and no one owns up, the cost might be split between everyone who uses the space. This is why you should have these conversations in advance to make sure the responsibilities are divided equally.
This means that even if you are the first person to leave your accommodation, you will be charged according to the condition of the room/flat/house communal areas at the time of your inspection.
All rooms will be referenced against the inventory sheet you were asked to complete at the start of your Licence period. If the condition of your room does not match that recorded on the inventory at the start of the Licence period (with the exception of fair wear and tear), you will incur charges to repair or replace items as necessary.
Appeals against damage charges will not be considered where a completed inventory was not submitted.
If you wish to appeal against any charges made in relation to cleaning or damage in your room, then you must submit an appeal in writing to the Internal Property Manager:
FutureLets, Coventry University
Priory Street
Coventry
CV1 5FB
This must be completed within 10 days from the date of the damage letter or invoice.
It's not worth losing part of your deposit over something you could sort so quickly, so make sure you give everything a quick once-over before you go.
