Mid-Tenancy “Mini MOT”: 10 Checks That Protect Your Deposit Later

Most deposit disputes don’t happen because a tenant is reckless – they happen because small problems quietly snowball over months, then get noticed all at once during check-out. 

A mid-tenancy “Mini MOT” is a simple habit: you pick a day (ideally halfway through your tenancy, or every 3–4 months if you’re staying longer), do ten quick checks, and fix or report what you find while it’s still easy, cheap, and clearly documented.

Think of it as your evidence pack, not a deep clean

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about preventing avoidable deductions by catching issues early, keeping the property in the condition your agreement expects, and building a clear paper trail. 

The rule is straightforward: if something is dirty, you can clean it; if something is damaged, you either fix it properly (with permission where needed) or report it promptly so it doesn’t become “tenant neglect” later.

Check 1: Revisit your inventory like a detective

Open your check-in inventory and the photos you took on move-in day. Walk room-by-room and compare what you see now with what was recorded then. 

If you didn’t take your own photos, start now: wide shots of each room, plus close-ups of anything that already looked worn or marked. 

A deposit argument often turns on what was “pre-existing” versus what is new – and nothing settles that faster than dated photos that match the inventory.

Check 2: Target the “invisible dirt” zones

Landlords and agents rarely deduct for everyday living, but they often deduct for built-up grime that suggests the property hasn’t been cared for. 

Focus on the places people forget: extractor hood and filters, oven door glass, hob edges, limescale around taps, shower screen tracks, bathroom tiles around the sink, and skirting boards in high-traffic areas. 

If you stay on top of these mid-tenancy, your end-of-tenancy clean becomes a light refresh rather than an expensive rescue mission.

Check 3: Damp, mould, and condensation – spot it early

If mould appears, the deposit risk isn’t just the stain; it’s the accusation that you didn’t ventilate or report a problem. 

Look behind curtains, around window frames, in corners of bedrooms, and behind wardrobes on external walls. If you see black specks or peeling paint, take photos immediately and send a polite message to the landlord/agent explaining what you’ve noticed and what you’re doing (ventilating, wiping down, using extractor fans). 

Early reporting protects you if the root cause is a building issue.

Check 4: Walls, paintwork, and scuffs that escalate

Small marks feel harmless until they multiply – and check-out is when they’re judged under bright light with the furniture moved. 

Walk the main routes: hallway, around the sofa, beside the bed, and by the desk chair. If you’ve got scuffs, clean them gently first. If there’s a deeper chip or a noticeable mark, check your tenancy agreement before you paint or patch. 

Unapproved DIY can sometimes cause bigger deductions than the original blemish, so the safe play is: photograph, report if needed, and only fix what you can do neatly and reversibly.

Check 5: Floors and carpets – the “wear and tear” line

Deposit deductions often hinge on whether something counts as fair wear and tear or avoidable damage. 

Carpets, laminate, and vinyl all show patterns over time, but stains, burns, pet damage, and water warping are usually treated differently. 

Look for chair marks, food spills, iron scorch marks, and swelling near bathrooms or kitchens. If you catch a stain early, you’re far more likely to remove it; if you leave it for months, it becomes “permanent,” and the argument gets harder.

Check 6: Bathroom sealant and grout before it becomes a claim

Bathrooms are a deposit hotspot because moisture turns tiny defects into expensive repairs. 

Inspect the silicone around the bath and shower, plus grout lines near the base of tiles. If sealant is peeling, cracked, or turning black, photograph it and report it – don’t wait. 

If water is escaping, the resulting damage can spread to flooring or ceilings below, and that’s where deductions can become significant. Prompt reporting shows you acted responsibly.

Check 7: Plumbing and leaks you don’t notice until it’s too late

Do a quick under-sink check in the kitchen and bathroom: look for damp patches, swelling in the cabinet base, musty smells, and any slow drips from pipe joints. Also check around the washing machine and dishwasher hoses if you have them. 

A slow leak that goes unreported can cause damage that looks like neglect, even if it wasn’t your fault initially – but a dated message reporting it early is your protection.

Check 8: Appliances and vents that quietly collect problems

Appliances often “work fine” until the day they don’t – and then everyone argues about misuse. 

Clean the fridge seals, defrost if ice is building up, and make sure the washing machine drawer and door seal aren’t mouldy. In the kitchen and bathroom, confirm extractor fans actually run and vents aren’t blocked by dust. 

If something is faulty (fan not working, oven not heating properly), report it in writing so it’s logged as maintenance, not blamed as damage.

Check 9: Safety basics you can verify without tools

Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms using the test button (don’t remove batteries unless the device requires replacement and you’re authorised to do so). 

Make a note of anything concerning, like flickering lights, loose sockets, or a boiler acting strangely, and report it. Even when safety repairs sit with the landlord, you protect yourself by showing you raised issues promptly and responsibly.

Check 10: Paper trail, receipts, and “prove you tried” communication

This is the check that makes the other nine work. 

Save emails/messages where you report issues, keep receipts for any agreed cleaning or minor replacements, and file a few mid-tenancy photos in a dated folder. 

If you ever end up in a deposit dispute, the strongest position is calm, documented, and consistent: “Here’s how it looked when I moved in, here’s how I maintained it, and here’s when I reported problems.”

The Mini MOT mindset that pays off at check-out

A deposit is easiest to protect with small, boring routines done consistently. Do your Mini MOT mid-tenancy, fix what you can cleanly, report what you can’t, and document everything.

When move-out day arrives, you’re not scrambling to defend months of unknowns – you’re simply showing a clear story of a home that was lived in normally and looked after properly.