Managing student properties can be both rewarding and challenging. One of the most demanding aspects is clearing out a student house after tenants leave. Whether it’s an annual task or a one-off situation, knowing how to approach it efficiently and cost-effectively is essential. This guide offers practical tips and insights to help landlords clear student properties with minimal hassle.
Why Clearing Student Houses Is Unique
Student tenancies often result in higher turnover compared to other rental properties. With young tenants, often in their first rental, a lack of experience in property upkeep can lead to leftover belongings, excessive rubbish, and even damage. Clearing these houses requires patience, a strategic plan, and the right resources.
Step-by-Step Guide to Clearing a Student House
1. Plan Ahead
Before tenants leave, remind them of their obligations under the tenancy agreement. A polite email or text can go a long way:
- Provide a checklist of items they need to remove.
- Include guidelines on rubbish disposal, recycling, and bulky waste collections.
- Mention potential deductions from the deposit for excessive cleaning or rubbish removal.
Encouraging students to take responsibility can significantly reduce the amount of work needed once they’ve moved out.
2. Inspect the Property
After the tenants have vacated, conduct a detailed inspection:
- Rubbish and Belongings: Check all rooms, including lofts, basements, and sheds, for rubbish or forgotten belongings.
- Damages: Look for broken furniture, fixtures, or fittings that need repair or replacement.
- Cleanliness: Assess whether the property requires deep cleaning.
Photograph any damage or large accumulations of rubbish as evidence for deposit deductions.
3. Sort and Separate
When clearing the property, sort items into categories:
- Reusable Items: Furniture, appliances, or decorations in good condition might be reused or donated to charity.
- Recyclables: Paper, plastics, glass, and other recyclables should be separated for proper disposal.
- General Waste: Bag up anything that doesn’t fall into the above categories.
- Hazardous Waste: Batteries, electrical items, or cleaning chemicals need special handling.
Efficient sorting can save time, reduce disposal costs, and help the environment.
4. Hire the Right Services
For large-scale clear-outs, hiring professional rubbish removal or skip hire services can save significant time and effort.
- Skip Hire: A great option for properties with a substantial amount of rubbish or bulky items. Choose a skip size suitable for your needs, from mini skips to large builders’ skips.
- Man and Van Services: Ideal for quicker clear-outs or when space for a skip is limited. Professionals can remove rubbish, furniture, and other waste directly from the property.
5. Deep Clean the Property
Once cleared, arrange for a thorough clean to prepare the property for new tenants. Areas to focus on include:
- Kitchens: Degrease ovens, clean fridges, and scrub countertops.
- Bathrooms: Remove limescale, clean grout, and disinfect.
- Carpets: Consider professional carpet cleaning to eliminate stains and odours.
- Walls: Touch up paint or clean marks for a refreshed look.
Tips for Avoiding Rubbish Build-Up in the Future
- Educate Tenants: Provide clear guidelines on waste disposal, recycling schedules, and keeping the property tidy.
- Provide Bins: Ensure the property has enough bins for general waste and recycling.
- Conduct Regular Inspections: Quarterly checks can help you catch issues before they escalate.
- Use a Professional Service: Partnering with a reliable rubbish removal company can simplify end-of-tenancy processes.
Why Choose Us for Rubbish Removal?
Clearing a student house can be time-consuming and stressful. That’s where we come in. At Cheap Skip Hire Prices, we offer a range of services to make your job easier. Whether you need a skip delivered or a team to handle the rubbish for you, we’ve got you covered.
- Fast and Reliable Service: We’ll handle your rubbish quickly and efficiently.
- Affordable Prices: Keep costs down with our competitive rates.
- Environmentally Friendly: We aim to recycle as much as possible, reducing waste to landfill.