Moving out of rented house need help

newyearnewhome

We are moving out of a rented house in 6 weeks that we have lived in for nearly 4 years and i want to know what will happen if we dont get an professional end of tenancy clean done as we know that we wont get our deposit back.

We don't mind not getting our deposit back as we need to replace two carpets and a sink that was accidentally damaged, but this will probably cost more than the £900 deposit, the reason we are moving out is because the landlord is selling the house. Will we be help liable for anything else or is that what the deposit it for? We will of course clean the property ourselves just not to a professional standard.

pmlindyloo

Did you sign an inventory when you moved in? This is the document that you work with.

As you have lived in the property for 4 years there will be some wear and tear.

Depending on the age of the carpets/sink the landlord can only claim for replacement on the basis of deducting money for its age (there's a formula somewhere) against the cost of replacement.

It is possible that the lanldord may not even deduct from the deposit if he is selling it (have you already had viewers round?)

As regards cleaning, there is no requirement to have it professionally cleaned - just to the standard stated in the inventory.

I am presuming your deposit is protected?

benjus

Insisting on a professional clean is not enforceable anyway - all they can ask for is that it's cleaned to the same standard as at the start of the tenancy. Of course it's easy to prove that you've done it if you can provide a receipt from a professional cleaning company.

If you have caused more damage than is covered by the deposit (after considering the expected life of items, and avoiding "betterment"), and you refuse to pay the extra, the landlord would have to take you to court to claim it.

newyearnewhome

On the paperwork i received this morning it said that a professional clean was required and that i needed to provide a receipt and they provided a flyer for a cleaning company, it was done all through a lettings agency so yes deposit was all protected, the downstairs carpet is just grubby looking they used very cheap cream carpets throughout the whole house that just haven't lasted and upstairs has a big hair curler burn on it, the sink has a crack in it where something was dropped on it i shall glue it and get some filler on it to see if i can repair it though.

Would be very nice if he just gave us the deposit back they took the outside photos this morning so im guessing they will the other pics soon,

Also will my references will already be done as we get the keys 2 days to the new house 2 days before we hand the old house keys in so that wont affect anything will it?

BitterAndTwisted

Hire a Rug-Doctor and clean the carpets, although you will be expected to contribute towards the cost of the one that's burned but only the value of the useful life you have deprived the landlord of. After four years of tenancy that probably won't be that much.

Of course the agent is insisting you hire a professional cleaning firm, they probably get a kick-back on the rate! If it wasn't made clear to you when you signed the tenancy agreement, then they can hardly expect to be able to enforce professional cleaning on you now.

Considering the property is going up for sale I would invite the landlord to do an inspection now, in good time before you leave as the damage to the carpet and hand-basin may not be of particular concern. They could be planning to refurbish anyway. You never know.....

RAS

newyearnewhome wrote: »

On the paperwork i received this morning it said that a professional clean was required and that i needed to provide a receipt and they provided a flyer for a cleaning company, it was done all through a lettings agency so yes deposit was all protected, the downstairs carpet is just grubby looking they used very cheap cream carpets throughout the whole house that just haven't lasted and upstairs has a big hair curler burn on it,

Regardless of what it says on the paperwork received this morning, what did it say on the in-coming inventory?

That is what matters.

They cannot force you to use their mate's professional cleaing company; its not legal.


And one of the terms you need to learn fast is "betterment".

The try to check out the cost of carpets of the same standard as the one on your floors and work out how many years they are useful. 5 years? If so as long as the carpets you leave have a year's life in them then the LL can take a jump.

Do clean them though.

dimbo61

Take photos lots of photos before you leave.
Redirect the post for 12 months and write to everybody you can Gas/electric/water/ broadband/SKY etc, council tax with new address to sort that problem.
Send new address cards to all friends and family.
Fair Wear and Tear after 4 years but not damage IE BURNS
Landlord has had rent for last 4 years and if He/She was half decent you would get full deposit back but life is full of stupid people

Kynthia

dimbo61 wrote: »

Landlord has had rent for last 4 years and if He/She was half decent you would get full deposit back but life is full of stupid people

The tenant is supposed to pay rent so it hardly makes the landlord a bad or stupid person for claiming a fair amount for damage done by the tenant. I agree that if you've had a tenant for a long time and they were good then many a landlord would let minor things slide, but noticeably dirty carpets with a burn mark and a broken sink should be claimed for.

jules888

Some people are so biased towards landlords!

BitterAndTwisted

And some aren't!

Guest101

newyearnewhome wrote: »

We are moving out of a rented house in 6 weeks that we have lived in for nearly 4 years and i want to know what will happen if we dont get an professional end of tenancy clean done as we know that we wont get our deposit back.

We don't mind not getting our deposit back as we need to replace two carpets and a sink that was accidentally damaged, but this will probably cost more than the £900 deposit, the reason we are moving out is because the landlord is selling the house. Will we be help liable for anything else or is that what the deposit it for? We will of course clean the property ourselves just not to a professional standard.

So many things to say...

You were there 4 years, unless the carpets were brand new when u moved in, you won't be paying much for them. Average rented property life time for a carpet is 5-6 years, at most you'll pay 20% of the cost. Sink may be more, I don't know what the damage is.

You have to return the house as was, less wear and tear, a professional clean isn't necessary. Just do a thorough clean yourself.

Is your deposit protected? Has your ll served correct notice?