Greedy landlord

cookie_monster_2

Hi,

So my partner and I moved out of our rented accommodation on Monday and the check out date was Tuesday. The letting agent came over to check everything. She took TWO HOURS!! It is a two bedroom small cottage style house.

She agreed no damage whatsoever but there were cleaning issues. She would now allow me to clean anything she had an issue with. I was just expected to wait for her to scrutinise and criticise everything.

When finished, she stated that there was some dust on a couple of skirting boards, the fridge freezer had bits in and that there was a stain in the kitchen cupboard. She also stated that the microwave was greasy - I had my own and never used it, not once!! They are now claiming, along with the landlord, that a professional clean is needed.

Photos were taken by the letting agent when we first moved in but we don't have a copy. She says that the place was immaculate when we moved in but it wasn't, it was dirty and mouldy and covered in dust and grime. It took us ages to get the place liveable. We have even re grouted the bathroom and touched home sealant due to the mould.

I just think it's absolutely hideous. How can I trust them when they say we have left a greasy microwave behind when we never touched it. I moved it in the utility on the first day and put the one my late grandad give me out on to the kitchen bench to use.

This, to me, is just another example of tenants being screwed over. How can I stop us from being taken advantage of?

The deposit is protected and it's for a considerable amount of money.

jc808

Why didnt you clean up before / as you moved out?

m0bov

Was the greasy MW noted on check in? You need to return the property back to condition, minus fair wear and tear, to how you found it on check in. They can not force a pro clean, go back and clean the areas of concern. Take photos.

Pandilex

Was an inventory taken and signed by you when you moved in?

If yes, you're screwed - I was in this situation and they did exactly the same, the most evil person I've ever met found a tiny mark that ended up costing me £70.

If no, you can likely successfully dispute it.

AdrianC

You've got a protected deposit, and there's a photographic dual-signed inventory from move-in? And, presumably, a photographic dual-signed inventory from move-out?

If there really are differences between the two, then dispute them with the protection service. With the photos, it should be obvious.

G_M

AdrianC wrote: »

You've got a protected deposit, and there's a photographic dual-signed inventory from move-in? And, presumably, a photographic dual-signed inventory from move-out?

If there really aren't differences between the two, then dispute deductions with the protection service. With the photos, it should be obvious.

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nonnatus

I agree that this should be very clear cut!! The Letting Agent sounds like they're doing a great job for their CLIENT (The Landlord, not you...).

A 2 hour end of tenancy check sounds very thorough. You should definitely have a copy of the photographic evidence from move-in and a comparison of the before and after should then be very clear, surely?
The Landlord will expect the place to be in the same condition as when you moved in - and why shouldn't it be?

AdrianC

G_M wrote: »

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I was thinking more of differences the other way - better condition at the end than the start.

em_9187

they complained about a bit of dust? and bits in the microwave? sounds pretty lame to me...

notanewuser

Standard behaviour. It's a money making scheme.

Had a checkout that concluded that all the carpets and curtains needed cleaning - there were none in the place!

nicegirl

That's terrible notanewuser. I have only just moved into a rented place and I'm already dreading this type of thing!