Moving into rented house...and it's filthy! Advice very much appreciated.

marliepanda

I understand you are in a rubbish situation but you may find it tough to get your money back.

Personally if I were in your position I would try and negotiate for a hefty rent reduction in order to clean, such as robatwork did.

onethirtyeight

I have today been into the estate agent and submitted a formal letter of complaint in person to the property manager. I put the keys to the house in question on her desk, she refused to 'accept' them, so I just left them there. Really gave them an earful, so lets see what happens next, I suppose!

Gromitt

onethirtyeight wrote: »

I have today been into the estate agent and submitted a formal letter of complaint in person to the property manager. I put the keys to the house in question on her desk, she refused to 'accept' them, so I just left them there. Really gave them an earful, so lets see what happens next, I suppose!

They'll put the keys in the drawer, completely ignore you, and when you go back they'll state that they never had any keys from you and that if they are now missing, they'll have to send in someone to change the locks at your expense, and then (attempt to) charge you for sending a letter to the landlord stating such.

I've seen it happen. Unless they are willing to give you a receipt for the keys, don't leave them. They are likely to lose them and charge you.

BitterAndTwisted

Returning the keys, even if the agent won't accept them will not get you out of a legally-binding contract. You need to negotiate a mutual surrender or come to an agreement with the landlord about the cleaning while you continue to be responsible for paying the rent until the end of the fixed-term

pmlindyloo

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Returning the keys, even if the agent won't accept them will not get you out of a legally-binding contract. You need to negotiate a mutual surrender or come to an agreement with the landlord about the cleaning while you continue to be responsible for paying the rent until the end of the fixed-term

Absolutely.

You may be lucky and they allow you to walk away but very much doubt it. As B&T says you have signed a legally binding agreement and are responsible for the rent until the end of the fixed term unless your LL agrees otherwise (get it in writing)

You are best off getting the place cleaned or negotiating a rent reduction for you getting it clean (you could always use your own cleaning people.)

Although the LL/LA have been doughnuts I suspect they will not 'surrender' when there are large sums of money involved.

bluestarlight

This happened to us as well. Although we didnt kick up such a fuss! Just clean it up, but put it in writing that you will leave it as you found it and no deductions can be made for cleaning out of your deposit.

So you save time cleaning it when you move out. You are not going to get your deposit, first months rent and reservation fee back for a dirty house, that would be £1000s of pounds if our rent is anything to go by.

onethirtyeight

Well thanks for the support! Ok, so it's not looking good. My argument stands though, and we're not moving in there. The LA has sent the relevant info to the LL, and apparently they are waiting for her decision. I have the LL's e-mail direct and have spoken to her already, she lives abroad and seems nice. I've sent her a copy of the formal complaint. My hope is that she will simply be embarrased to have let the place in that state, and will agree to call it a day and find new tenants.
If they don't agree to give our money back it's going straight to the property ombudsman.

onethirtyeight

also, the legally binding contract comes with a few terms and conditions that have not been met by the LA or LL, such as an up to date inventory, and it also mentions that the property must be returned to it's "good, clean state". These contracts are there for both sides (albeit, more for theirs). We'll see anyway.

pmlindyloo

Let us know how you get on.

My personal opinion is that this may be a mistake/breakdown of communication by someone in the letting agency.

You say the LL's mother was there when you went. Perhaps she was supposed to be sorting out the cleaning.

I just don't think you have given them an opportunity to put things right.

A dirty house is not unfit for habitation - just needs a good clean. Some people live like that all the time!

Not trying to make light of things, just think this is a bit of OTT .

Anarchist

I think you will struggle.

I would personally just get a professional cleaner to do the lot then submit the bill to the letting agent. If they refuse to reimburse you, take it through small claims.

That is the correct, most likely successful, and easiest option for you. A cleaner to go over it won't cost you a fortune up front.