How to leave Rented accomidation

GaryMaguire

Hi All

this seems a simple one, but I want to make sure I've got it right before the time comes. Are you expected to Steam clean carpets, wash curtains etc... before you vacate a property or is a general spring clean (dust, Hover Etc...) good enough? Having been in the property for 5 years there must be a certain amount attributed to wear and tear?

Regards

Gary

hazyjo

What does your lease say?

Jx

pinkshoes

You would need to leave it in the same state as when you moved in, which would be as described on the inventory that you should have signed.

I presume your deposit was protected?

BitterAndTwisted

In my opinion a "general spring clean" includes cleaning the curtains! Why would your landlord's new tenants want to live with your five year's worth of accumulated grot and grime?

Your responsibility is to return the property and all of its fittings in exactly the same state of cleanliness as they were at the beginning of your tenancy, so I would say that the carpets would almost definitely need to be properly cleaned if you haven't been doing this regularly during the last five years.

Dirt and damage are not wear and tear

theartfullodger

pinkshoes wrote: »

You would need to leave it in the same state as when you moved in, ...........

Err.. no, leave it as it was less fair wear & tear... After 5 years many sensible people would consider the sort of stuff many LLs put in properties (carpets, furniture..) would be due for replacement anyway..

If you want to leave it in a better state then the LL will thank you for saving him money...

If the tenancy says it must be (say) "professionally cleaned" or that you will be charged for cleaning anyway please note those clauses are unenforceable & have been ruled "unfair" by OFT.

Oh, and leave when you agreed to leave..

If you've just been served with a S21 notice & nothing else you don't have to leave ... but that might make getting a good reference tricky...

PurpleJay

If you are prepared to clean the carpets and curtains I would ask first if they are planning to replace or would they like you to do them. It would be a waste of time if they are getting new ones anyway.

When I rented my last house, I was going to offer to pay towards new carpets as my cats had pulled some threads (they weren't in brilliant condition anyway when I moved in. I asked and the LL was planning to redecorate and renew all carpets so I left it and they didn't ask for any money

GaryMaguire

Well when we moved in the place had new Carpets so its near on impossible to give them back in the same condition. We have and will probably wash curtains, I just don't want to give the place a good cleaning only be told that we should have hired a steam cleaner etc... 5 Years is a reasonably long time in a property to not make a mark on it so some of the replies do surprise me.

I would have imagined that it is down to the letting agent or Landlord to make sure the house is in tip top shape before re-renting the property. Much like them having to replace bed mattresses etc...

I don't want to cut corners but also don't want to go over the top.

Regards

Gary

p.s My deposit is protected.