End of Tenancy Cleaning

Ruby789

Hi all,

I will be moving soon, and staring to think about getting the place sorted. In the agreement it says that we need to have the place professionally cleaned. Any one know if we HAVE to do this, or can we just do a really, really good clean ourselves?

It's laminate flooring throughout, and then 1 area rug. The rug used to be cream and sadly is no more. Any ideas how to clean this cheaply? Again, do I go to a professional or can I do a good enough job myself? I don't want to risk the rug, but 1 quote wanted £100 to clean just the rug!

What do professional cleaners actually do for end of lease cleans?

Anyone know if I will need to proove I paid for cleaning services?

Thanks in advance

nonnatus

If you've signed the Contract agreeing to have the place professionally cleaned, then that's what you'll have to do I'm afraid.
If you choose NOT to use a professional cleaner, I'd expect the Landlord to want to retain part of your deposit so HE can pay for it to be professionally cleaned...?

Icey77

You might be better off posting this question on the House Buying and Renting board - there are some very knowledgable people on there who can advise.

Pooky

What was it like when you moved in? When I've rented in the past the houses were manky when I moved in and obviously hadn't had a professional clean (I think nearly all contracts state that now). I left them clean and tidy and made sure any carpets were hoovered and steam cleaned.

If the rug is on the inventory, what condition was it listed as before? Every day wear and tear is allowable and as long as you've made every effort to keep the rug clean and spot treated any stains then there shouldn't be a problem. To be honest a cream rug in any home wouldn't stay cream long unless it was cleaned weekly.

Ruby789

It wasn't professionally cleaned when I moved in. There was dust behind every piece of furniture etc.... but it was my first rental so was just so excited I didn't do anything practical like inform the letting agent etc... to cover myself later. In 5 years they've done NOTHING to maintain the place. Repairs are made after harrassing the letting agent for weeks, and then a crappy job is done.

But, yes, I signed to say I would have a professional cleaner come in. I personally have been there long enough that I don't mind paying my share, but the girl whose only been there a year doesn't want to pay as it wasn't professionally cleaned when she moved in, and the other girl thinks we can clean it ourselves. Though I've been there longest, I don't think the bill should all be mine either. It's 'new' dirt now (if you know what I mean) as I've been cleaning regularly and spring cleaning too.

They signed the same thing I did, so they can be made to pay, but I see they're point that it is unfair. They've never come in between tenancy's to maintain anything, and all who moved out previously didn't have to pay for a cleaner.

VJsmum

I agree with nonnatus, if you've signed the contract you have to do what it says otherwise you are in breach of contract.

You could however try steam cleaning the rug.

JulieGeorgiana

I've had to prove I've used professional cleaners in the past.

I've always paid around £250 and get someone in who guarantees a pass, so if there are issues they go back in an sort it out. Last time I went through the letting agents and it worked a treat.

I always assume I'm getting back £0 on my deposit, and as I went through the agent they paid him with my deposit, so the money I got back was a bonus!

And moving is stressful, getting cleaners in takes off loads of stress x

Ruby789

Thanks all. If it needs prooving, then that's the end of it, the other girls will need to pay their share.

I will get quotes, and ask the letting agent for a recommendation too - that's a really good idea. If I ever get a response from them.

In the meantime, i'll go through the flat and start checking the condition of things against the inventory.

JulieGeorgiana, you're right. I am already stressed out as the other girls are so unhappy. Not done a check-out before, but read so many horror stories, i'm dreading it!

longtimelurkersam

STOP. Get over to the House buying board they will give you proper the information to fully back this up, but you do NOT have to have it professionally cleaned nor do you need to prove anything that you have paid for. You need to leave it to the same standard the property was when you moved in and is documented in the dual signed inventory. You do have a dual signed inventory noting the issues/dirt etc when you moved in don’t you?

Lilyplonk

With your next tenancy, I'd make sure to take photos of everything BEFORE YOU MOVE IN!

Good Luck! It's not a problem that I've experienced personally as I've always lived in Housing Association properties - but my daughter has had all this kind of worry as she's been in Private Rented for the past 6yrs .

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Cleaning it yourself is NOT the same as a professional clean. I would class myself as pretty house proud, but I'd never cleaned the hinges of my cupboard doors, or behind the radiators.

Organising a professional clean yourself is much less hassle than arguing over the deposit.