Forum Spotlight – Can the departing tenant pay for damages or must the cash come out of the deposit?

The members-only forum on our website is a great place for landlords to seek advice and share experiences.

This month, we look at a member whose outgoing tenant wishes to pay for any potential damage to the property directly, rather than having the money deducted from their deposit.

Our member is also concerned about whether changes being brought in under the Renters Rights Bill (RRB) – yet to become law – will have any bearing on this arrangement if they agree.

The member says they have always enjoyed a good relationship with the outgoing tenant and believes there is a strong level of trust between them.

What did other landlords say?

The responses from other members were reassuring, with fellow landlords confirming that the RRB will have no impact.

Most responses advised the member to inspect the property two weeks before the leaving date to get an exact assessment of any potential damages. They also recommended making precise costings for any damage before submitting the bill to the outgoing tenant.

Several members emphasised the importance of transparency and documentation throughout the process.

The advice from our Landlord Support Team

Our team of experts confirmed there is no legal issue if a tenant is prepared to pay directly for any damages when leaving the property, and this arrangement can work well when there is mutual trust and clear communication between landlord and tenant.

Our adviser recommended the landlord confirm the move-out date with the tenant, then conduct the inspection, agreeing on damages and costs afterwards, rather than taking payment beforehand.

They also stressed the need for proper documentation of the inspection findings and agreed costs, regardless of the payment method chosen.

Full guidance and more information

The NRLA has detailed information on ending a tenancy here

To read the original forum post, click here