How much cleaning can landlady reasonably bill me for?

DJ_Mike

I'm about to move out of my rented flat, and my landlady has said (purely over the phone at this point) that she expects she'll want to have the carpets professionally cleaned, and that I should be the one to pay for this.

Now, I'm far from the world's most immaculate cleaner, but I've kept the carpets in good order and I can use a hoover proficiently. After 5 years, however, the carpets have understandably had their fair share of feet over them, so they're never going to look as they did all the way back then.

Is it really fair of her to expect me to pay for their cleaning, or should I just accept this as part and parcel of having lived there so long?

anselld

What does your inventory say about the cleanliness of the carpets when you moved in? It is your responsibility to clean them back to that standard.

Jomo

I might be tempted to hire one of those rug doctors devices from b&q or similar if you can, they aren't that expensive to hire for the day and it might help to avoid any of you deposit being held back. Make sure you keep the receipt to show that you have done so.

What is fair wear and tear? Each and everyone probably has their own opinion. Treadmarks in the carpet may be ok but if they look dirty then someone might argue that they should have been cleaned.

anselld

I would second the rugdoctor - great bit of kit. Morrisons do them £35 for the weekend inc fluid.

DJ_Mike

Yes I would quite agree hiring something like a Rug Doctor sounds reasonable - it's the fact that she's insisting on hiring professional cleaners? Can she do that at my expense or can I argue that I have cleaned the carpets to a reasonable standard if I do so with hoovering/Rug Doctoring?

tizhimi

I'd be telling her where to go!

How dare she presume that the carpets are in a state without even looking!?

Goodness me, what a woman!

poppysarah

What state were they in when you moved in? (Were they new? 5 yrs old now so allowed to have 5 years reasonable wear and tear)
Expect a receipt showing you how much it costs her if she does, else dispute it, and unless it's in the tenancy (or they were pro cleaned when you moved in) I'd dispute it.

Jomo

If the LL disagrees with what is reasonable wear and tear and hires professional cleaners to clean them rather than the tenant do something about it themselves it might cost the tenant alot more.

If you mark the internal paintwork by accident that isn't always seen as fair wear and tear and the LL would expect the paintwork to be redone.

Same with the oven, that would have to be spotless, why would they not expect the carpets to be cleaned?

mlz1413

I'd ask your LL round to do an inspection to discuss what is expected at exit and to confirm deposit return, key hand over, utility readings etc.

Have a read of your contract so you know the wording, but you should be expected to return the property in the same condition as you took it over less fair wear and tear, obviously 'fair' and 'wear &tear' are both subject to opinion but if you can have a meeting before moving out then you have a chance to agree what is expected and achievable.

IMO if you had cleaned the carpets that would be enough for me and if I then wanted to have them prof cleaned afterwards that would be my cost.

It might be worth backing up anything agreed during the inspection by letter afterwards.

tizhimi

I think its presumtious to demand a carpet to be cleaned. I'd be furious.

Jomo

tizhimi wrote: »

I think its presumtious to demand a carpet to be cleaned. I'd be furious.

It's easy to forget how clean a carpet was after a few years of living with it. Plus there could be a few stains on it which IMO is not reasonable wear and tear, especially red wine stains!!

Rug Doctor can hired for as little as £19.99 for 24 hours so I don't see the problem. Better that than facing a professional cleaning bill which will be deducted from the deposit.