Tenancy Term - Cleaning

ShrewsfanIC

Hey folks

My tenancy contains the following term (I have only just been made aware of it as have served notice)

7.2 To return the Property and Contents at the end of the tenancy in the same clean state or condition as they were at the commencement of the tenancy. The tenant will pay for a professional clean to be carried out by the Landlord's contractor once the property has been vacated. Carpet and upholstery cleaning requirements will be assessed during the check out inspection

This is the first time in almost 10 years of renting that I have come across this and have always left properties in better condition than I found them and have NEVER lost any deposit. If I clean the house to a high standard (and always would) how can they justify charging me the Landlord's price for a contractor to come and 're-clean' over a property which is already spotless and gleaming?

Surely this constitutes an 'unfair' term? The property was not cleaned spotlessly when I moved in, a point which I made on the inventory, so it will certainly be in 'better' condition when I move out.

Any help or advice is gratefully received

Guest101

Correct, u do not have to pay for this. When you send your notice, just tell them you will not pay for this.

The deposit scheme will not accept this.

LL is probably in business with a friend

ShrewsfanIC

Is there any law backing this up that I can quote? This is a huge letting agency in a large city!

anselld

Leaving a property "professionally cleaned" is a fair term provided the LL can prove it was professionally cleaned prior to you moving in.

Even then you would be entitled to have the professional cleaning done yourself and provide receipted evidence rather than using the landlords contractors.

http://www.mydeposits.co.uk/sites/default/files/LANDLORD%20Best%20Prac%20Guide%20(Cleaning%20General)3151.pdf

Guest101

anselld wrote: »

Leaving a property "professionally cleaned" is a fair term provided the LL can prove it was professionally cleaned prior to you moving in.

Even then you would be entitled to have the professional cleaning done yourself and provide receipted evidence rather than using the landlords contractors.

http://www.mydeposits.co.uk/sites/default/files/LANDLORD%20Best%20Prac%20Guide%20(Cleaning%20General)3151.pdf

No it's cleaned to a professional standard, not professionally cleaned

Guest101

ShrewsfanIC wrote: »

Is there any law backing this up that I can quote? This is a huge letting agency in a large city!

So they employ more incompetent people than most?

Ignore it, if they try to charge you tell them to take you to court.

ShrewsfanIC

But won't they attempt to withhold it from my deposit?

Guest101

ShrewsfanIC wrote: »

But won't they attempt to withhold it from my deposit?

Probably, but dispute it. It's not lawful

anselld

ShrewsfanIC wrote: »

But won't they attempt to withhold it from my deposit?

They may do and you may dispute it.
The outcome will depend on the evidence both sides can present to determine the before and after state.
It is not automatically fair or unfair, lawful or unlawful.
If the LL can show you did not leave it clean enough then an appropriate deposit deduction would be upheld.

ShrewsfanIC

But spotless, which it already is, would never constitute charging for professional cleaning?

anselld

ShrewsfanIC wrote: »

But spotless, which it already is, would never constitute charging for professional cleaning?

I am sure every dispute starts with the tenant saying it was "spotless". The question is do you have enough evidence to defend a claim if the LL has a different opinion.