Question about Carpet Cleaning When Exiting a Property

jweb2k

Quick question here when leaving a property ....

In a Tenancy Exit Notes document I've been given by the lettings agent, it states that before vacating the property I need to make sure all carpets are "professionally cleaned by a professional carpet cleaning company". Receipts also need to be produced to the lettings agent from this cleaning company.

Is this normal? The carpet itself has no stains on it, and I imagine a carpet cleaning company will be looking for £80-£130 to do two bedrooms, hallway and lounge area in the property, which I don't really wish to be paying for such a trivial clean.

Can they insist on it being done?


Thanks to all who read and reply, it's got me stumped!

BitterAndTwisted

Yes. they can insist on it being done and they ask to see the receipts as proof in case some cheeky chancer decides the carpets aren't dirty enough to warrant it or try to do it themselves and ruins the carpets. It's in the contract which you signed in agreement with their terms, so it's too late to decide now that you won't. You should have done that when negotiating the letting terms and conditions.

I don't understand why it would have you stumped: it's in black and white

theartfullodger

jweb2k states

In a Tenancy Exit Notes document I've been given by the lettings agent

-
I think the key question is, was the requirement about cleaning in your agreement/tenancy contract when you started the tenancy or is this something new the agent has just sprung on you??? If it is new then they can go stuff themselves....

However, it is "common practice" to have carpets professionally cleaned if-they-need-it and charge the tenants if it does need doing...

So, re-read your original documents and see what evidence ('photos) you have of the carpets conditions at start and now.

Cheers!

Lodger

charliee_3

we lived in a flat years ago, we paid to get the carpets cleaned as they had got a bit marked (boyfriend at the time was an artist so a few paint splashes etc). we were young and stupid and didnt keep or submit the receipt and they took a charge out of our deposit for cleaning the carpets again. i didnt bother arguing it as we had split up and i just wanted out...

i think if you have had a pet they should insist on professional cleaning AND flea treatment.. when we moved into our house which previosuly had cats, even though carpets were clean we were infested with fleas for a while.. yuck...

jweb2k

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Yes. they can insist on it being done and they ask to see the receipts as proof in case some cheeky chancer decides the carpets aren't dirty enough to warrant it or try to do it themselves and ruins the carpets. It's in the contract which you signed in agreement with their terms, so it's too late to decide now that you won't. You should have done that when negotiating the letting terms and conditions.

I don't understand why it would have you stumped: it's in black and white

Indeed, theartfullodger makes the point it's not in the original contract, but just in the Exit Notes. I've checked through the original contract again to be sure.

The carpet itself is free from stains and in very good condition (slight wear and tear wise as always).

Any thoughts?

Geenie

I am looking at this as a LL, and if I wanted any claims to carpet cleaning once the tenancy ended I would have had this as part of the original agreement when the property was taken on!

I truly cannot see how this can be chucked at a tenant if they were not informed from the start it was part of the agreement and would be implented at the end. I would tell them to get stuffed OP and report them ASAP. If you are truly sure there is no mention of these Tenancy Exit Notes in the original documents, I think you have a case against this LL. Just make sure you have read all of the small print and keep us informed of how it goes. Good luck.

theartfullodger

You might give the Agent "Agent exit notes" with something new in it also...

He's (Agent) obviously an incompetent amateur... (or trying it on as a crook).

Cheers!

Lodger

BitterAndTwisted

jweb2k wrote: »

Indeed, theartfullodger makes the point it's not in the original contract, but just in the Exit Notes. I've checked through the original contract again to be sure.

The carpet itself is free from stains and in very good condition (slight wear and tear wise as always).

Any thoughts?

It wasn't blindingly obvious to me that the OP had recently been given these "Exit Notes" rather than at the time the tenancy agreement was signed. I've re-read it and I still think it's not absolutely clear.

If the Artful Lodger's right that they have just slung this over to him recently then it's true: the LA and LL can get stuffed, although one person's "fair wear and tear" is often another's wanton destruction

poppysarah

Ask for a copy of the receipt for when it was done prior to you moving in



I imagine it'd be an unreasonable term. Carpets don't need "cleaning" every 6months/12 months

jweb2k

You should have more faith in the human race BitterAndTwisted, I assure you the carpets are far from "destruction"!!!

The documents have just been sent to me this week. I'll take Geenie's advice and look through the original contract for any generic mention of exit notes again, but fail to see how a single mention of "exit notes" can constitute asking to pay for professional carpet cleaning when it's completely unnecessary!

jweb2k

poppysarah wrote: »

Ask for a copy of the receipt for when it was done prior to you moving in



I imagine it'd be an unreasonable term. Carpets don't need "cleaning" every 6months/12 months

I know it was cleaned prior to us moving in, however it was done by them. I'm not sure whether this was deducted from the previous tenants deposit though - hence my reservations with just ignoring it!

You might give the Agent "Agent exit notes" with something new in it also...

He's (Agent) obviously an incompetent amateur... (or trying it on as a crook).

Cheers!

Lodger

It's quite a reputable lettings agency, surprisingly(!)