Moving Into Rented Home - Cleaner

YKay

I am moving into a a new rented house in a couple of weeks. Lets just say, the current tenants have a very different way of living. The house it's self was nice, but the tenants have left the place a dump, with dog poop all over the back garden.

I'm just unsure if they are going to have the respect to get the house back to the original state, therefore I am wondering if it is a standard procedure for estate agents to get a cleaner in before the next tenants come in.

HappyMJ

YKay wrote: »

I am moving into a a new rented house in a couple of weeks. Lets just say, the current tenants have a very different way of living. The house it's self was nice, but the tenants have left the place a dump, with dog poop all over the back garden.

I'm just unsure if they are going to have the respect to get the house back to the original state, therefore I am wondering if it is a standard procedure for estate agents to get a cleaner in before the next tenants come in.

You want it clean unfortunately you've got to clean it yourself.

It's the same with all properties. The previous tenants should attempt to clean it but it won't be up to your or my high standards so you'll just have to get the cleaning products out yourself and get stuck in.

Pixie5740

Tenants just have to leave the property in the same condition (minus any fair wear and tear) as it was at the start of the tenancy. It could have been a midden when they moved in.

You'd like to think if it's left in a state the landlord would have cleaned prior to you moving in. Deductions from the current tenant's deposit will almost certainly be made for a "professional" clean. However, there's no legislation saying the place has to be cleaned for you so pack your marigolds.

[Deleted User]

Every rental place I've moved to, I've had to clean up on moving in. I've had to clear gardens of debris.

As Pixie said, sure previous occupants were charged for cleaning up.., but the money wasn't used for this purpose. I spent a couple of days cleaning up this place.., LL was quite impressed by the 'cleanliness' the previous tenants left it in. I wasn't, it was dreadful. God knows how it could have been left lol.

Guest101

The upside is when you move out there won't be any cleaning to worry about.

fairy_lights

All bar one of the flats I've rented have been filthy when I've moved in - sticky kitchen cupboards, skidmark stained toilets, mouldy showers.
If you're lucky, the agents will have had it professionally cleaned before you move in, but realistically you need to be prepared to do it yourself.

YKay

To be honest, we expect to do a good amount of cleaning what ever property we go in, I just hope that they will at least do the basics and clean the dog poop up from the garden lol. Things like that I should expect should be done as standard, but have a feeling I will have to do it myself...

Thanks for the replies though, it was just a heads up so I don't go diving into the estate agents saying a cleaner should be sent in!

fairy_lights

YKay wrote: »

Thanks for the replies though, it was just a heads up so I don't go diving into the estate agents saying a cleaner should be sent in!

If it's really, uninhabitably filthy and the gardens full of dog poo then I definitely would demand the agents send a cleaner! There's a big difference between having to clean a house that's dirty from normal wear and tear and a house that's dirty because the previous tenants have been living in squalor.
If it is filthy when you move in, make sure you take photos as evidence.

G_M

It really amazes me reading posts on here. I would never let out a property that's a tip. Or dirty.

If tenants have left it a tip, yes, there'll be discussion / dispute over deposit, but then I'll either clean it up myself or get cleaners in. Same with the garden. It won't be immaculate but it'll be decent and poop free (though I strongly discourage dogs!)

It's my property - I want it looked after. And if tenants move in to a tip who can blame them for treating it like a tip?

OK - rant over.

Discuss this with the LL /agent before you sign. Will it be cleaned if not left clean by the outgoing tenants? Get an assurance in writing! A vague reassuring verbal answer may mean nothing 2 weeks later when you put the key in the door if some of the threads on here are for real.......

And if the worst happens and you do have to clean it up yourself, take photos of everything, before and after you've cleaned, and send the 'before' pictures to the LL with a covering letter so it's on file (for when you move out in case he finds you've left a cobweb and charges you.........)

Joskat

I'm amazed at some of the responses on here! Our last tenants cleared off before the end of their tenancy and had made a very feeble attempt to clean the house - but it was still dirty and a tip in the garden. They had kept a rabbit in their 7 yr old daughters bedroom so you can imagine the smell and dirt in the room. We cleaned the house ourselves, replaced the carpet, and won their deposit after ADR.
I would never let a house that wasn't clean - it's a matter of pride and it's our future pension so it has to be maintained to a good standard. Can't understand any LL letting out a property that isn't clean and tidy. Our latest tenant added two pages to the Inventory which seemed very pernickety to us but the LA said it was a good thing, and we have a signed letter from her that she will have the house professionally cleaned whenever she leaves.

Pixie5740

G_M wrote: »

It really amazes me reading posts on here. I would never let out a property that's a tip. Or dirty.

Joskat wrote: »

I would never let a house that wasn't clean - it's a matter of pride and it's our future pension so it has to be maintained to a good standard. Can't understand any LL letting out a property that isn't clean and tidy.

That's because you are decent landlords. If a landlord is happy to let the incoming tenant move into a filthy property it sets the scene for the rest of the tenancy.

I'm amazed that tenants would leave properties in a disgusting state but then again I was shocked when I watched "How Clean is Your Home?" I couldn't believe how some people live and had to change channels during some episodes because I was about to heave.