Deceptive Landlord

Pixie5740

I did search for Construction Line and their website talks about suppliers to the construction industry, not cleaners, that's why I asked for clarification.

I still maintain that people who are paid to clean are no more capable of cleaning that the next person. In fact I've hired some woeful cleaners in past.

cavework

Strangely , the construction industry uses cleaners.. HA,s use cleaners for void properties , this is considered to be part of the construction industry, so are new builds , in fact any property that has had building works , be it new kitchen or a full refurb
But..you obviously are an expert regarding the cleaning industry .. my 14 years of running a cleaning business and employing staff just means I know which end of a vacuum cleaner to point at the floor....lol

G_M

As advised already, go to arbitration.

Doubtless the LL will submit the invoice to them to support his claim that the property was 'prfessionally cleaned' and therefore clean to a high standard at the start. He will also claim it was NOT cleaned to this standard at the end (though I believe there was no check-out inspection? sorry can't remeber and feeling lazy!).

You will contest this. You write to the arbitrators making all the points stated in this thread about the unreliability, or suspected fabrication, of the invoice, pointing out there was no check in inventory, and listing all the defects that existed when you moved in.

The arbitrators will decide who they believe.

cavework

and for the record .. people employed in the cleaning industry as cleaners have a multitude of skills.. it takes commitment, an eye for detail, interpersonal skill, discretion, honesty and an ability to work unsupervised.

razzledazzlerose

The laughable thing about this whole thing is that he wants it cleaning to a "professional standard" now but how is his mate a professional cleaner if he's just someone he knows who has done him a favour?

I'm a doctor and the house was clean to my standards. I'm used to working in theatres!

cavework

Your landlord is on a hiding to nothing.
Your deposit is protected , he (allegedly) used an unregistered cleaning contractor who no longer trades. Ask for a full breakdown of the clean provided before you moved in .. I am sure as Jamie is a mate he can break down the invoice he provided , VAT registered or not, to explain what was involved in his professional clean
Do you still have records of what you paid for waste disposal on moving in?
Please do not worry, I hate this, when tenants are ripped off by money grabbing landlords.

razzledazzlerose

Thanks for the advice.

We didn't have to pay for the waste removal left on the street - thankfully the council sorted it for free. They'll have a record of that.

I said to the landlord "I'm sure I'm not imagining things when I remember having to empty out a fridge full of old food on move in". He admits the fridge and freezer were not clean on move in (and that they are fully clean now for move out), but still wants to charge us.

Pixie5740

cavework wrote: »

Strangely , the construction industry uses cleaners.. HA,s use cleaners for void properties , this is considered to be part of the construction industry, so are new builds , in fact any property that has had building works , be it new kitchen or a full refurb
But..you obviously are an expert regarding the cleaning industry .. my 14 years of running a cleaning business and employing staff just means I know which end of a vacuum cleaner to point at the floor....lol

Hospitals use cleaners too so maybe cleaners should join the General Medical Council after all.

You don't need to be an expert to clean your home, that's kind of the point. Millions of people do it every day just fine.

Pixie5740

razzledazzlerose wrote: »

Thanks for the advice.

We didn't have to pay for the waste removal left on the street - thankfully the council sorted it for free. They'll have a record of that.

I said to the landlord "I'm sure I'm not imagining things when I remember having to empty out a fridge full of old food on move in". He admits the fridge and freezer were not clean on move in (and that they are fully clean now for move out), but still wants to charge us.

Stop contacting your landlord and get on to TDS to get your deposit back. The onus is on him to provide the evidence for his deductions and from what you've said all he has is some Mickey Mouse invoice from his friend.

razzledazzlerose

I have to wait ten days (from the end of my tenancy) to take it to TDS. They need evidence that the LL and I have tried to resolve the dispute.

I spoke to TDS today and they said claims that the paperwork may be fabricated in whatever kind of way need to be dealt with by the property ombudsman and not them. Seems like a lot of effort, don't know if it's worth it?