Would you clean a house you leave?

sneezyboots

Like it says in the title really. We completed on Friday and although the place wasn't really dirty, it was obvious they had not cleaned prior to leaving. The main thing being where the fridge was was very grubby but with one swipe of a mop yesterday it disappeared. Now I can see the whole 'it won't be our problem anymore' type of attitude but surely people have some pride. I just don't think I would be able to leave a property for someone else without cleaning it thoroughly first. Maybe I should just be grateful they left the light bulbs in!

While I have your attention, another small matter that occurred on Friday I found really bizarre. Our solicitor called us on Thursday at about 5pm to say they had exchanged and would complete on Friday. That had been our plan for a while. Friday lunch time comes and solicitor calls to say completed, go to EA and get keys. Fantastic we thought and toddled off to EA. There were only 2 staff in the office and the one I spoke to hunted for about 5 mins for the keys and then asked the other guy who also didn't know where they were.
She then asks if I am sure we have completed to which I obviously said yes. So she phoned the vendor at work and he said he did not know it had completed. She then phones the vendors sol to confirm and he says yes and that he called vendor to say release keys but he couldn't get anyone so left a voicemail. EA then rings vendor back to tell him that and he says he is at work and doesn't finish til 5. The EA starts looking even more concerned than before and doesn't really know what to do so I suggest collecting the keys from him at work (5 min drive away) and that is what we did.
Surely the vendor would have known completion was set for the Friday when we exchanged on the Thursday though and should have taken the keys to the EA. I'm sure we could have kicked off big time judging by the look on the EA face when she realised what was happening but I was happy to just go and get them so we could get in.

globetraveller

yes I would, and have, cleaned before moving. Because of having to have viewings, my flat was already not too bad. Must say though that when we first moved into the flat it was obvious that the past inhabitants had only really cleaned around things for years. Believe it or not, they also painted around things as well. It was amazing.

missile

I would call it common courtesy. Unfortunately that seems to be as rare as common sense.

I hope you enjoy your new home.

martindow

Did they move out on the same day you moved in? I have had the situation where more cleaning should have been done but the removals people were pressing hard to start unloading.

lellow_lorry

Hope it is cleaned is all you can expect....many i have moved into have not....varying from just dusty to downright filthy. You just have to remember why you bought it in the first place. A box of cleaning materials and a good scrub is what you end up doing so be it. Everyone has diferent levels of hygiene. Remember that most people will have moved that morning packed all the big items, kids to deal with sometimes to and a hectic schedule. Timescales can restrict what they do, but you hope its not filthy. As for the keys...completion.....its yours. The vendor at this point has no legal right to keep hold of the keys. At work? well tough you want to be in. Happened to me where the vendor took the keys from Fareham district to Ipswich!! Her husband was in work locally and fortunately had a spare key as would have cost them a new door as i was ready to kick it in.

LilacPixie

Our move date is 10th December and we plan to clean/hoover once furniture out. then do the same at new place before unloading if we need too.

msgnomey

I have always thoroughly cleaned any house I have left rented or otherwise, I also thoroughly clean any holiday properties we stay in too no matter how long we are there. it is common courtesy IMHO but I have also moved into some filthy places

G_M

What arrangement had you made with the vendor for the keys? You'd agreed for them to be left with the EA? No? Just 'assumed'?

There's no obligation for the vendor to give them to EA though there IS an obligation for them to be available for you. Sounds like they were as you arranged to collect them from his work. Job done!

Catatonia

Last time I sold I spent a while cleaning it from top to bottom. For this sale, I didn't bother as I had been messed around by the buyers and they had also damaged the house prior to exchange so I decided I couldn't be bothered showing them courtesy after the way they acted.

mclaren32

The house we recently bought was far from clean when we moved in but even had it been cleaned we would have done it again anyway so it didnt make any difference to us.

cheap_charlie

When I moved in to my previous home it hadn't been cleaned in a LONG time...there was even wet washing in the washing machine :eek:

I made sure therefore that the place was spotless when I left - I just find it ignorant beyond belief the mess some people can't be bothered to clean.