Check your agreement for:

• the date you should move out by

• when you get your deposit back

Leave your room and any shared areas in good condition. Take photos on move out day to show how you left the room. Make a note of any damage or broken or missing items.

Return keys or fobs to the accommodation provider. Most halls have a drop off point for this.

If you paid a deposit when you moved in

You should get your deposit back when you leave. Your accommodation provider can only make deductions from your deposit for things like:

• unpaid rent

• damage in your room

In private halls of residence, your deposit should be protected in a tenancy deposit scheme.

You should usually get your money back within 10 days of moving out. You can raise a dispute through the deposit scheme if:

• your deposit is not returned

• your halls of residence makes unreasonable deductions

In university owned halls of residence, your deposit does not have to be protected. You should get your deposit back within 4 weeks unless you dispute any unreasonable deductions.

What if you leave your course early?

Ending your tenancy agreement depends on:

• the type of agreement you have

• if your halls are owned by the university or a private company

Fixed term contracts in university halls of residence

Check your agreement to see if it lets you end the agreement early.

If there is nothing in the agreement, you could ask if you can leave early. Get it in writing if the university agrees.

Fixed term contracts in private halls of residence

Your agreement should have a clause that lets you end your contract early.

You should be able to give 4 weeks' notice in writing if:

• you withdraw from your course

• you are excluded from or refused access to the place where you're studying

• you are absent from your course for at least 60 days due to illness and your university agrees to suspend your studies

Assured tenancies in private halls of residence

You can end your tenancy by giving 2 months' notice.

You can give less than 2 months' notice if your accommodation provider agrees to this in writing.

More on ending a private assured tenancy.