Moving In/Out
Guidance

Start of your tenancy

You are welcome to move into your house during normal office hours (weekdays 9am - 5pm - Friday to 4.30pm) from the start date of the tenancy onwards. Moving-in appointments can only be made for weekends if your tenancy starts on a Saturday or Sunday.

  • The damage deposit and first month’s rent must be paid before we can release your keys.
    • If you are already a tenant with WESP at the same or a different house we will contact you to arrange the transfer of your deposit to the new tenancy. 
  • Please bring some photo ID when collecting your keys.
  • For your own comfort and to protect the mattress please bring a high quality WATERPROOF mattress protector.


First person to move in

Whoever is due to arrive at the house first must pre-book an appointment with our office, giving at least 3 working days notice. Please book early to get your preferred time.  During the appointment a member of WESP will carry out a moving-in inspection. Try to be present at this appointment, as you will be asked to check the contents and condition of the house. Anyone not present at this appointment must abide by the findings of this appointment. We cannot be responsible for the contents and condition of the house after the first person moves in.

The rest of the group : Other members of the group can collect their keys from the office from the following day onwards during normal office hours (9am - 5pm weekdays, 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays) . Please phone the office the day before to ensure that your keys will be ready for you and that a member of our team will be present.

We are unable to issue keys to anyone on your behalf unless you have provided written instructions by email at least 2 working days in advance. 

Inventory

An inventory of your house will be compiled to account for the contents and condition of the house. This will be issued to you by email. Please check it carefully and notify the office within 7 days if anything does not agree with your findings.  This document will be referred to at the end of your tenancy if any deductions are necessary from a damage deposit. 

 

End of your tenancy

Please plan ahead!  The house must be returned in a CLEAN condition, with furniture returned to its original location. Please refer to the council's instructions and collection calendars (many of which are fortnightly) to ensure that all unwanted items are disposed of properly. Any waste which is not properly disposed of at the end of the tenancy will be removed at a charge of approximately £12 per black bin bag. 

Tenants must leave the property and remove all possessions and waste by noon on the last day of the tenancy.
Unless you have opted to book the same house for a further tenancy we will be unable to extend the tenancy. Please contact our office for availability elsewhere.

Due to the need to prepare your house for the next tenants we cannot store any possessions on your behalf. If it is necessary to remove any abandoned items you will be charged for the cost of removal and disposal.

If you have a standing order in place for payment of rent please ensure it is cancelled after your final payment has been made. 

Final Inspection

The last person due to move out must pre-book a FINAL INSPECTION

  • Call the office : 01522 589970, giving at least 3 working days notice
  • Appointments are available 9am - 4.30pm,  Mon-Fri (unless your tenancy ends at the weekend)

WESP will inspect the contents and condition of the house and advise you of any issue which may result in a charge.  It is important to be there. Anyone not present at this inspection must abide by the findings of those present. This may affect your damage deposit.

If a final inspection is not booked by your group this is advance notice that our team will visit the house on/after 9am on the last day of the tenancy to carry out the inspection.

Cleaning your house

Make plans with your housemates to ensure a fair share of the work – you are equally responsible!

  • The house must be returned in a CLEAN condition with furniture returned to its original location

  • The freezer(s) must be emptied, defrosted, unplugged, CLEANED and the door left open
  • Check that kitchen cupboards are clear & CLEAN. Other tenants don’t want your old baking trays!

Rubbish & unwanted items

  • We cannot store items for you. 
  • Donate unwanted items in good condition to the local charity shops.
  • ALL unwanted items and waste must be disposed of in accordance with council rules.
  • PLAN AHEAD !  Many waste collections are fortnightly:  check the council’s website.
  • You must put waste into the correct council bin and not exceed the capacity. Wheelie bin lids must be able to close.   
  • If anything is left in the house or in the garden or in a way which the council refuses to clear (e.g. overloaded bins or food in the re-cycling bin) you will be charged £10 per black bin bag, or equivalent size, with the charge shared equally between all housemates.

IMPORTANT : The council provides a waste/recycling site which is free for you to use: Great Northern Terrace, Lincoln LN5 8LG. Open 10am – 4pm. Closed Tuesday & Wednesday

When you have cleaned and cleared your house take photos of your bedroom including both sides of your mattress, all communal areas and the outside areas.  Keep the photos at least until your deposit has been returned.

KEYS

Keys not returned or not identifiable by the end of the tenancy will result in a charge (approx. £25)

If you are moving out before your housemate(s): Please return your keys to our office. If you are leaving out of office hours seal the keys in an envelope with your name on the front (not your address) and put them through our letterbox. Send a follow-up email to the office to confirm you have done this.

If you are the last person to leave: Hand your keys to a member of our team during the final inspection.

Damage Deposits

We know how important it is to you to have your deposit back as soon as possible.  Following the end of the tenancy we will check the final inspection report, photos, rent statements and utility bills. We aim to authorise the release of most deposits within 2 weeks after the end of the tenancy, depending on the date of final utility bills. 

Your deposit is held by the Deposit Protection Service who will contact you directly to finalise the arrangements for returning the deposit. If you haven’t already done so at the start of your tenancy please ensure your deposit account is activated. https://www.depositprotection.com/tenants/starting-a-tenancy/activating-your-account.  This will speed up this process and ensure you receive emails from the DPS.