Tenancy ending on Sunday

[watchmefly]

I've given notice to end my tenancy agreement (private rental) and it expires on a Sunday.

I've asked to return the keys first thing the following Monday morning as I'd like a receipt but the letting agent says I should post them through the office door on Sunday. I'm not comfortable with this as I don't want there to be any 'misunderstandings' about the keys being returned.

The letting agent says he would charge me an extra month's rent if I handed them in on the Monday morning.

Not quite sure what to do, has anyone else been in a similar situation?

[Shmithecat]

Take a video of yourself placing the keys in a clearly marked envelope, then putting the keys through the letterbox. Your tenancy ends on Sunday. You can't keep the keys past Sunday.

[ThatIsNachoCheese]

We had exactly the same and we did drop our keys through the letterbox. We had been tenants there for years though and I did trust them.
If I was feeling uneasy about it, which you clearly are, I would arrange for a proper check out on the Friday where checks are done with you there, meters are read, you both sign something and then you hand keys over then. I think that's the way it should be done anyway to be honest.

[watchmefly]

Thank you for your responses. I think I will video myself dropping the keys off at the letting agent. I've had numerous issues with them and don't want to give them any excuse to cause more problems by claiming I've not handed over the keys which is why I wanted to hand them over personally. The letting agent has said that an inventory company will do the inspection on the Monday and that I cannot be present when they do so. Good to have others' opinions on this, thank you.

[KittyKK]

I wouldn’t agree to being absent at the check out appointment!!

If they really won’t let you attend, then take extensive photos on the Sunday (after you’ve moved out and cleaned). Also, make sure you get receipts of any professional cleaning, curtain cleaning etc if the tenancy requires it.

Go through the check in inventory with a fine tooth comb. Replace anything that is missing, as it will be a a lot cheaper for you to do it!!

Check the move-in photos now. Get any damage touched up/fixed. Take photos of everything that you are leaving behind (window keys, curtain tie backs, instruction manuals etc).

I would send the photos to them via email on the Sunday.

Many years ago, I paid a cleaner to do a move out clean in my very first rental move out. It was immaculate, but the agency still charged me over £200 for “professional cleaning, because I didn’t have an invoice for it!!

[ButDoYouAvocado]

I have been present at every check out.

[SmileAndNod]

Our tenancy ends in 2 weeks also on a Sunday. I'm worried about this as well so I think we're going to hand in keys on the Saturday to get a receipt. We're also not allowed at the check out - they won't say when is being done so we're taking extensive photos and copying the invoices of the clean, the curtain clean and the carpet clean. We're also taking meter readings as we leave the property again photographing and date stamping.

[watchmefly]

They're really not happy about me attending the checkout although I'm trying to insist. The letting agent is only available Monday to Friday until 5pm so no option to hand keys in on a Saturday.

Taking lots of photos and especially of meter readings is a great idea, thank you.

[ThatIsNachoCheese]

Why on earth can't you be there for the check out? I would absolutely insist!