Renting - Carpet Cleaning

amy104

I know there are probably lots of threads regarding this however my question is a little more specific.

In previous rentals we have always gone by the rule if they were proffesionally cleaned when we moved in we would return them to that state. Where they were not done (and appropriately noted on the inventory, we have cleaned them ourselves).

However the term on the agreement we have for a new rental states as follows:

'Upon determination of the tenancy the tenant hereby agrees to pay for the carpets to be proffesionally cleaned when the premises are vacated by a company nominated by the Landlord or his Agent.'

Is this an unfair clause - are they allowed to tell us who should clean them?

There is also another clause stating the whole property should be cleaned by these nominated proffesionals at our cost. What happened to cleaning things yourself?

If these clauses are unfair is there somewhere specific I can use to back it up?

Thanks.

pmlindyloo

amy104 wrote: »

I know there are probably lots of threads regarding this however my question is a little more specific.

In previous rentals we have always gone by the rule if they were proffesionally cleaned when we moved in we would return them to that state. Where they were not done (and appropriately noted on the inventory, we have cleaned them ourselves).

However the term on the agreement we have for a new rental states as follows:

'Upon determination of the tenancy the tenant hereby agrees to pay for the carpets to be proffesionally cleaned when the premises are vacated by a company nominated by the Landlord or his Agent.'

Is this an unfair clause - are they allowed to tell us who should clean them?

There is also another clause stating the whole property should be cleaned by these nominated proffesionals at our cost. What happened to cleaning things yourself?

If these clauses are unfair is there somewhere specific I can use to back it up?

Thanks.

I think the best way to approach this is to have a look at your protection deposit scheme and see what they have to say on the matter.

Just google 'professional cleaning at the end of a tenancy unfair clause' and you will find the links to the different Deposit Protection Schemes.

amy104

The deposit hasn't been paid yet.

I always ask for a sample tenacy agreement to read in advance so I can check the terms and discuss further if I am unsure on anything.

pmlindyloo

amy104 wrote: »

The deposit hasn't been paid yet.

I always ask for a sample tenacy agreement to read in advance so I can check the terms and discuss further if I am unsure on anything.

Very sensible.

Well, you could have a read of the schemes anyway/ask which Deposit Protection scheme they use and then talk to them about it or not - but then use it at the end of your tenancy to make the point?

Difficult one since they may just decide not to let you rent the property if they see you as a 'argumentative' tenant rather than the sensible one that you obviously are.

Perhaps someone will come along who has had experience of this.

tortoisesaver

We've rented (far too) many times, and have come across this clause before. We just raise it with the agent and they always say we can choose who it is as long as we provide receipts. Same with cleaning, if we can clean it to a high standard, they're usually happy with that (had to pay for oven being cleaned in last place, but was expected).

Just ask, they're usually used to these questions! Get them to amend contract if you're worried.

Mr_Pitiful

Unless it has been 'professionally' cleaned when you move in, there is no requirement for you to do so at the end of your tenancy as that would be putting the landlord in a better position than when the tenancy started. It only has to be cleaned to the same standard, and a term which imposes a stricter requirement is likely to be seen as unfair.