Cleaning Filthy rented flat where to start!?

thisuseridistakenagain

Thank you very much everyone.
I've taken photos, and will get the letter written.
We went to the agent and he said he will send our list of complaints to the Landlord and we should await contact from him to see if he 'agrees to pay for them'

We discovered that a leg on the sofa was stuck on with cellotape so theres nowhere to sit at all now, and we will have to head back to the agent for further complaints!

what is the bond actually for? it sems like you are saying we should try to claim some back?. i thought we just got that when we moved out if it was clean and whatnot.

Haven't done the inventory yet, but will get it in the next 7 days apparently, and we will make a big list/letter of complaints to go with it.

CCP

thisuseridistakenagain wrote: »

Thank you very much everyone.
I've taken photos, and will get the letter written.
We went to the agent and he said he will send our list of complaints to the Landlord and we should await contact from him to see if he 'agrees to pay for them'

We discovered that a leg on the sofa was stuck on with cellotape so theres nowhere to sit at all now, and we will have to head back to the agent for further complaints!

what is the bond actually for? it sems like you are saying we should try to claim some back?. i thought we just got that when we moved out if it was clean and whatnot.

Haven't done the inventory yet, but will get it in the next 7 days apparently, and we will make a big list/letter of complaints to go with it.

That sounds depressingly familiar. I got exactly the same excuse from the agents that looked after my last property - strangely the landlord was 'out of the country' every time something needed doing, too. :rolleyes:

If you're in England then I don't think you can claim any of the deposit back now - as you say, this is repayable at the end of the tenancy and I don't think you can get it back at this stage. I think you've got very good grounds to negotiate a reduction in rent, though - after all, the rent you agreed was for a habitable property and it doesn't sound like it is at the moment. This will be need to be put in writing but there's no reason why you can't go in and discuss it with them in person - when they've got several prospective new customers in the office would probably be the best time, particularly if you spell out the problems loudly enough for everyone to hear. (All right, I'm being mischevious, but it could be worth a shot! )

If all else fails, I would strongly advise speaking to your local Citzens' Advice Bureau - I found them very helpful when I was having trouble with my landlord / agents last year.

funky_snow

p.s. the kind of company/agent that allows a flat in such a state is invariably the sort that then stings you if you don't return it in pristine condition.
Be really picky now - with photos of condition, details and condition on inventory and make sure you get the agent/landlord to sign the document - then you have some come back when you leave.
Really important the documents are signed by them - else they will say you made it up!

funky_snow

and good luck with the cleaning - buy washing up gloves with feather trims and pretend to be Kim (or is it Aggie!)

deeds

Mr Muscle kitchen cleaner is my very best friend.

We're in the same boat, or rather house lol, only its bloody big and such a big filthy job.
Apparently we are getting it at a reduced rate because of the state of it. (though this wasnt mentioned when we viewed we were told it would be cleaned decorated and carpeted, til the LL changed her mind :rolleyes2 ) Anyhoo, definitely complain to the LA, don't let them get away with anything, believe me they will try it on.

I've just had a letter from ours stating if I don't return the signed inventory within 5 days they will use their version for the file.
Oh really?
I'm going through it with a fine tooth comb, they have a different idea to fair/good condition to what I have. IMHO fair condition is not dog filth up the doors, filthy paintwork or other peoples pubic hair in the bath, I wont go on but you get the idea.

Sorry about the rant, but don't let them get away with it, you need to be firm from the start.





(having said that, I'm also a landlady and an absolute pushover :rotfl: )

CCP

deeds wrote: »

I'm going through it with a fine tooth comb, they have a different idea to fair/good condition to what I have. IMHO fair condition is not dog filth up the doors, filthy paintwork or other peoples pubic hair in the bath, I wont go on but you get the idea.

:eek::eek::eek:

And I thought my last flat was bad! Good luck deeds and thisuseridistakenagain in sorting out your agents / landlords - they definitely shouldn't be allowed to get away with it!

Pitlanepiglet

As said above, take photo's photo's and more photo's so that you can demonstrate the condition it is in.

What does your tenancy agreement say about the condition that you must leave it in? I bet it's clean tidy and having cleaned carpets and curtains so do not put up with any one else's dirt when you will be required to leave it clean and tidy.

It sounds to me like the agent/LL is cutting corners. How much do you want/need to live in this place?

Have you been shown the certificates for gas and electrical safety? Have you been given details of which deposit schee your deposit has been placed in? If you don't have all of these things then you need to seriously think about whether it's somewhere that you want to stay. Your bargaining position is strong now but won't be after you've been there for a while. These people are not going to get better - only worse!

How old is the Sofa? Google the regulations for fire resistant furnishings for rented properties and ask for confirmation that your furnishings comply!

rumncoke

Hope you get things sorted out. I find it astonishing how anyone could let out a property in such a filthy state.
Last year we rented our old house out & before tenants moved in I made sure it was spotless. As it had been empty for 3 months since we moved out I gave it another clean, sprayed all rooms with a fragrance spray & put heating on for an hour in the morning to air the rooms. (It was September)
Given the state we got it back in I wish I hadn't bothered.:mad:
Good luck

tandraig

my son rented a house from a housing association - and it was filthy!!! beyond belief - yet strangely the toilets and bath were spotless!!! i got my son to phone them and send a manager round - then i took him on a tour. he told me that they hire cleaning firms and give them two hours to clean the property ready for next tenants!!!!!!!!!!!! two hours!!!!!!!!! it took me, my OH my son and his partner four days to get the house clean!!! and believe me it was hard work!! my son got a months rent rebate plus redecorating vouchers of 75 pounds (which wasnt nearly enough). oh - and they had the cheek to tell him if he didnt leave the house clean when he left he would be liable for cleaning costs!!!! oh yeah - two hours!!! the last tenants did a flit according to neighbours!!!!!!! what a laff

floss2

deeds wrote: »

......I've just had a letter from ours stating if I don't return the signed inventory within 5 days they will use their version for the file.
Oh really?
I'm going through it with a fine tooth comb, they have a different idea to fair/good condition to what I have. IMHO fair condition is not dog filth up the doors, filthy paintwork or other peoples pubic hair in the bath, I wont go on but you get the idea.

Send it back with photos to back up the changes!