Cleaning House at End Of Tenancy

KHud

We're just about to move out of our rented property and I wondered if anyone could help with a query I have about cleaning when we leave.

When we moved in the letting agents said the property had been professionally cleaned, it clearly hadn't and the chap from the inventory company agreed that there was no way the house was professionally cleaned. Our contract says that we have to professionally clean the house at the end of the tenancy, but there's also a clause saying that it has to be brought back to the standard it was in when we started our tenancy (technically not possible since I don't have a ready supply of dead flies or other fairly grim things!).

I vaguely remember reading on here once that a contract can't enforce the 'professionally cleaned' part, just that the house should be clean and the manner which this was achieved is irrelevant. So, I wondered which clause takes precedence- the properly cleaned part or the part about return to the original state? I'm expecting this to be a bit of a battle with the lettings agent so would really appreciate knowing what's right! Thank you for any help.

LEJC

I'm not a professional cleaner ....but I have 20 plus years of experience cleaning my own house....my friends daughter who is 17 has a saturday job as a cleaner in a local firm....who's the professional?

Its a difficult one to answer but with my LL hat on I would advise you ensure the house is of a good standard or cleanliness before the handover.
Each person has their own standards of clean so in my mind there isn't really a definitive answer....a professional clean by a company who specialise in check outs could be handy but its by no means the only way to obtain your deposit back in full from your LL.

LEJC

edited to add...Take the original inventory that hopefully has descriptions of the state of the house and maybe photos....and clean it to a standard exceeding that if you can ...again taking your own photos should there be a cause for dispute.

Hibbs

I'm in the same position, the property was disgusting when I moved in, mould growing on bedroom walls, kitchen covered in grease, whole house stank of smoke with yellow walls/ceilings. Letting agents saying we have to have carpets professionally cleaned even though they weren't even hoovered when we moved in and inventory states they were dirty, stained and worn. Don't see why I should have to play for them to be cleaned but don't want deductions from the deposit either.

KHud

Sounds much like the place I'm in, it was vile! Hopefully someone will be able to help us avoid having to risk deductions or paying out!

marksoton

This old chesnut again.

Just clean it the standard at check in or better and take plenty of photos. Job done...