Deposit back from holiday rental?

clearmydebts

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone had any advice. We just came back from hols and booked an apartment last minute. We originally had another apartment booked, but it fell through, hence the kast minute booking. I paid €350 deposit as well as the cost of the apartment €1500.

On return you were supposed to have the deposit credited back into the account within 48 hours. We returned on the Sunday and when it hadn't been credited by the Thursday I emailed. They responded on Friday and said that the apartment had been left in such a state the couldn't even list all the things that were wrong, but that it needed 10 hours extra cleaning (6 hours cleaning at the cost of €100 was already included in the cleaning) and they needed a specialist to estimate how much the leather couch and rugs in the apartment would cost to clean.

I was baffled because, although it would have been messier than I would usually leave an apartment (there were 4 toddlers in our group) it was still hoovered and cleaned down. The only thing I wasn't happy with, was that the outside patio furniture cushion covers would have had some cordial stains, due to the kiddies dropping their drinks during the week. But I didn't want to start washing their cushion covers incase they shrunk.I thought they would clean them as part of the €100.

The company said there was food residue on the couch and wax marks (we didn't light a candle during the week due to having young children).

I emailed back and said that I accepted that the flat might have needed some extra cleaning beyond the 6 hours (although I think 10 extra hours is excessive IMO) but I wasn't willing to pay for the sofa and rugs as I rubbed the sofa before I left and it was fine and hoovered the rugs before I left and saw absolutely no stains on them, or if there were small ones, it could be wiped with a cloth.

I also stated that the representative didn't turn up on the last day despite telling us that she would be there before 10am (we told her we had to leave at 10am) so we didn't have a proper handover.

Anyway, I am not sure what to do now, They didn't send me any photos of this pigsty, and as mentioned, I don't mind paying for a few hours extra cleaning, but I am not afraid I will get none of my deposit back.

Any advice welcomed.

Fire_Fox

Six hours cleaning will cover the unavoidable basics like the kitchen, bathroom, hoovering, dusting and changing the beds it doesn't cover damage from drink stains and dropped food. They will redo this basic clean unless you have left it spotless because they have standards to maintain, so there was no point in you flinging a hoover around.

If they wish to get specialists in to estimate the damage from your toddlers that is their right, but I would ask to see quotes on headed paper. You should have been more careful with where the children were allowed food, given them sippy cups or cleared up all the spillages, you've left yourselves wide open to this claim.

clearmydebts

I did bring sippy cups for mine and tried to clean after them as much as was possible. I don't dispute the potential cleaning bill. What I dispute is the claimed damages. There were none - and they haven't produced photos to that effect either.

outofmoney

When they say wax could they mean from crayons? I have to say I would have cleaned up any spillages straight away and as far as I know our children never left a mess behind at any place we rented.

clearmydebts

outofmoney wrote: »

When they say wax could they mean from crayons? I have to say I would have cleaned up any spillages straight away and as far as I know our children never left a mess behind at any place we rented.

The children had no crayons with them. They meant candle wax.

I did clean up spillages straight away, but some spills stain cushions regardless of when they are cleaned.

outofmoney

Not sure what else could appear like wax? Snot maybe? :eek: Or dried milk, melted cheese? Personally I didn't trust those sippy cups. They always leaked. And not sure what your children were drinking but blackcurrant stains the minute it touches anything so I avoided that like the plague when they were younger.

I would definitely be asking for photos to prove the mess though if you disagree with what they are saying.

clearmydebts

They said candle wax but when I replied I said that we hadn't lit candles she didn't dispute it.

I think I will ask for photos. The only additional cleaning I see was needed was the cushions to be put through the wash.

missile

Seems like you are aware you left the appartment dirty and stains on cushions. It is your responsibility to clean up after your toddlers.

I would suggest you should take more care next time.

pimento

I agree with missile. If I had booked an apartment and arrived to find cordial stains and food residue from the previous week's renters I wouldn't be happy.

clearmydebts

missile wrote: »

Seems like you are aware you left the appartment dirty and stains on cushions. It is your responsibility to clean up after your toddlers.

I would suggest you should take more care next time.

I didn't leave the apartment dirty. I just said it wasn't as tidy as I would have liked. My bedroom and bathroom were spotless. The apartment was cleaned the day before but we left early that morning and there was a lot of rushing around, so it is possible the kids may have left crumbs etc on the floor.

As mentioned, the only thing I can pinpoint is cushions that probably had sone food stains on them (easily remedied by washing them). In fact, had they provided a clothes horse, I probably would have stuck them in the wash the night before.

clearmydebts

pimento wrote: »

I agree with missile. If I had booked an apartment and arrived to find cordial stains and food residue from the previous week's renters I wouldn't be happy.

Hence the cleaning bill added into cost of the rental. And they provided no proof of photos to back this up???