A sex toy, a giant python and glowing swear words - all left by tenants...

Giant glow-in-the-dark swear words, a sex toy and a pet python are among some of the items that students left in their accommodation when they moved out over the summer, according to The Deposit Protection Service. 

Part of The DPS’s role is processing landlords’ requests for deductions from their tenants’ deposits, and among the claims it received this year was one to cover costs of removing a snake found in a student’s bedroom.

Elsewhere, one landlord found an air rifle in a student’s room while another found a living room in good condition in the day time - only to discover four-foot high swear words daubed on the walls once night fell.

Another landlord said he had had to let the owner of a sex toy left behind know of its disposal when they phoned and asked for it back.

“Like all tenants, students must take care of the place they live in, avoiding or properly repairing any damage and leaving the property as clean as when they arrived. Because students are more likely to share their house with others, there can be confusion over who is responsible for checking the condition of their accommodation and reclaiming the deposit when everyone moves out” explains Matt Trevett, The DPS managing director.

“Keeping to the terms of a tenancy agreement and demonstrating that they’ve left the place in good standing is crucial to students receiving their full deposit back.”