Estate Agents Unfair?

Crazystar

Hello All,

I recently moved out of a rented house and as per the agreement I got the house professionally cleaned ( 170£ professional cleaning, 170£ carpets, 20£ external windows cleaning). The estate agents sent me a checkout report last week mentioning some charges for the damages and also some concerns on the cleaning.Today the estate agents has sent me a email saying they have got the property cleaned again and an additional 150£ will be deducted from my deposit. I am surprised to see this bill of 150£ as I am not made aware of this cleaning and they have not informed me before of these charges.

Is it fair the estate agent charge me 150£ without taking my consent and knowing my company who did the cleaning were happy to come back again and do the cleaning for free if something has been missed out? I am thinking to refer this matter to mydeposits.co.uk, any thoughts please?

Guest101

OMG, you paid £360 for cleaning?? WHY!!!


No none of these charges are fair, you should've just cleaned it yourself, and then gone to arbitration.


Of course refer to my deposits, you should've done that as soon as you moved out and saved £360.

casper_g

Yes, object to the deduction, using the receipt for professional cleaning as evidence, and citing the fact that the original cleaners could have been called back if remedial action was still needed.

The requirement to have the flat professionally cleaned in the first place was unreasonable (it is the standard of cleaning that matters, not who does it - I've always cleaned properties myself and generally been thanked by landlords for leaving places in good nick). But to be charged again when you had already paid through the nose was ridiculous!

Crazystar

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I had to get the house professionally cleaned as it was mentioned in my inventory and we had got it in that state when we moved in. The most annoying thing here is the estate agents dint even consider to contact me before they ordered their own company to get the cleaning done again...

Guest101

Crazystar wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I had to get the house professionally cleaned as it was mentioned in my inventory and we had got it in that state when we moved in. The most annoying thing here is the estate agents dint even consider to contact me before they ordered their own company to get the cleaning done again...

You're not listening, so i'll try be simple.


Despite what was said on the inventory, or in the agreement, you did not HAVE to get it 'professionally' cleaned.


You just had to clean it.

AlistairM

I'll be checking out next month and have been told to get the flat professionally cleaned.


I shall be wary now thanks to your post.


I wonder if it's best to ask the estate agent to list an approved cleaner.


Sounds like you shouldn't have bothered and just left and let them deduct for it that way.

Crazystar

Thanks Guest101, You are right I could have just cleaned it..

Any idea what are the chances of me winning this with mydeposits.co.uk? or are there any other agencies I can refer this matter?

Guest101

AlistairM wrote: »

I'll be checking out next month and have been told to get the flat professionally cleaned. - Don't, just clean it yourself, use the inventory as the basis for which it will be assessed.


I shall be wary now thanks to your post.


I wonder if it's best to ask the estate agent to list an approved cleaner. - No, because they will overcharge as a kick back for the agents.


Sounds like you shouldn't have bothered and just left and let them deduct for it that way.

For goodness sake people, just get the hoover, the polish and anti bac wipes out

Guest101

Crazystar wrote: »

Thanks Guest101, You are right I could have just cleaned it..

Any idea what are the chances of me winning this with mydeposits.co.uk? or are there any other agencies I can refer this matter?

if worded correctly the chances of winning (in my experience) are 100%.


You can alternatively go to court if you wish, but it's best to use ADR where possible.

Crazystar

Thanks Guest101, I will refer this matter to mydeposits.co.uk and hope to get it resolved..Will submit all my cleaning receipts.

Lunchbox

AlistairM wrote: »

I'll be checking out next month and have been told to get the flat professionally cleaned.


I shall be wary now thanks to your post.


I wonder if it's best to ask the estate agent to list an approved cleaner.


Sounds like you shouldn't have bothered and just left and let them deduct for it that way.

Do NOT ask them for an approved cleaner!! Just clean it yourself or choose your own based on a number of quotes.

We moved IN to a property that hadn't been cleaned at all - in fact the previous tenants were still moving their belongings onto the lawn when we arrived to check in. The agency told us to arrange our own cleaning and then cleaning by us wouldn't be required on check out. They then recommended their own cleaner, at a cost of £360. For a small 3 bedroom flat with no carpets or curtains.