Tenant Deposit Scheme - How clean does a house need to be when you leave?

simmed

We moved into this house a year ago, it was mostly clean but the oven and general kitchen area were very dirty, so we complained to landlord who got out a cleaner for us.

TDPIX

Did you take pictures of the property when moving in? Did you/your landlord take an inventory and ensure that both parties signed it?

As long as the property is in the same (or better) condition as when you moved in - less reasonable wear and tear - he can't take anything out of the deposit. (That's a rough and ready answer, at least).

We had a similar issue at a previous property with a useless LA. When we moved in it was dirty, there were plenty of stains on the carpets and the freezer wouldn't shut properly due to being too frosted over.

By the time we had moved out, the property was a lot cleaner, we'd removed some of the stains, and the freezer had been partially defrosted.

On the check-out inspection, one of the first things the LA's rep did was check the freezer and remark that it should have been completely defrosted. I pointed out that it actually just had to be in a better or similar condition to when we moved in, and then he quickly moved on. We ended up getting our full deposit back.

Depending on your relationship with your landlord, I'd personally text back with "We'll be sure to leave the property in the same or better condition as when we moved in " (this depends on the LL though, it may just make matters worse..). It does, however, suggest that you know how the deposit schemes work.

If you have photos of the property when you moved in, and can show it's now cleaner, he won't have a leg to stand on here.

As for the plaster - did you report it to your LL when it happened? Did you take photos of it? If not, then it could be a minor issue... certainly shouldn't result in much of a deduction (if any), though.

Werdnal

Your obligation as a tenant is to leave the property in at least equal condition than it was when you moved in. However, that is not to say just because it was dirty then, you have an excuse to leave it dirty when you go.

When you moved in, was there an inventory and what did it say about the condition and cleanliness of the property then? In order to achieve a valid claim, the LL must have written record of the start and end condition. If he cannot prove this, then you stand a good chance of getting your deposit back. As soon as you leave, contact the deposit scheme and request the full return of the deposit. LL will have to challenge this and prove a reason for his deductions.

As for the damaged plaster, whilst it may not have been your fault, did you report it to the LL at the time? Was he given the opportunity to inspect and repair it? If you have taken it upon yourself to carry out the repair, and it does not completely match the rest of the wall, then in theory you have to put the damage right. Could you paint the whole wall in the "different" colour which might help make it less obvious? Can you ask the LL if he has any of the original paint?

G_M

You must leave it as you found it (or better) less fair wear and tear.

The initial inventory is what the LL will rely on to provide the base line.

Helen1971

I've tended to get the carpets cleaned professionally when I've moved out of a rented place (on the grounds that doing so would be cheaper than the amount the LL or agent would deduct whether they planned to clean the carpets for the next tenant or not), but other than that I've just given the place a good Hoover and a blast with Mr Muscle and never had any problems with deposits.

It's impossible to prove the level of cleanliness when you moved in so I tend to overcompensate. It's worth it for your peace of mind.

No advice to offer re the chunk of plaster I'm afraid; I'd be hoping that nobody noticed.......

theartfullodger

You can leave it as filthy as you like, but the landlord can request ££ if he can PROVE the condition when you moved in.

OFT guidelines are that demanding a cleaner at tenancy end is unfair & not on (consider an obsessively cleaning immaculate tenant.

Check with your deposit scheme for the dispute process.

Cheers!!

tbs624

Op says that the LL arranged for a cleaner at the start of the tenancy after she had complained about the low level of cleanliness.

LL has the right to excpect that the property will be returned with the same level of cleanliness as there was after the cleaner had done her job.

As Werdnal says re plaster lump out of wall, thi should have been reported the the LL at the time: if T failed to do so and has instead personally effected a poor repair/paint job then LL is likely to be able to justify a deduction.

OP - why not ask LL round to discuss the plaster and come to some arrangement with the LL *prior* to moving out? ( get any agreement made/confirmed in writing so that LL cannot renege once you have moved out.