Is this normal?

FBaby

Really? Is that the standard set out by the Royal Society of Cleaners? I know of plenty of so-called professional cleaners who don't clean those areas. In fact I remember being sorely disappointed with the very first cleaners I ever hired for what they advertised as a "deep" clean.

This is why I said 'could be argued to be' not IS. the ADR will take into account what is written in the AST and whether 'professional cleaning' had taken place before moving.

I agree fully that it is very subjective as I experienced myself. Was quite shocked at the 'professional cleaning' I received and indeed, had to go finish the 'professional' job myself, but it ticked the box with the ADR that it was 'professional'.

As said, if OP does a very good job, which I take to mean to 'professional standard', it shouldn't be an issue, but my experience is that what some tenants considered to be good standard, and what would be considered 'professional', ie 'high standard' can vary greatly.

CathA

My daughter had 'professional cleaners', looked worse after they had done it than before! Even the inventory clerk who went in to do the final check out with her agreed it was a very poor job and they need to come back and do it again.

My daughter is not as picky in her standards as I am so if she thought it was bad, good thing I never saw it!

Fireflyaway

Thank you everyone for your advice. Well... I telephoned the letting agent and said I was surprised to receive an email telling us to professionally clean the house as I have never experienced that before. I also asked if it was mandatory as I don't remember it being stipulated in the contract. The girl sounded a bit sheepish and said no its not mandatory, the landlord just asked if we would because she has an allergy to pet hair! I know they wanted us to pay because the email even stated they could recommended a contractor.
Anyway I told them I'm not prepared to pay out. I will clean myself (would have anyway) and that's it. The place wasn't spotless when we moved in so of course I will leave it clean, but I don't see why the landlord should get a better standard at my expense.

Mr.Generous

Fireflyaway wrote: »

Thank you everyone for your advice. Well... I telephoned the letting agent and said I was surprised to receive an email telling us to professionally clean the house as I have never experienced that before. I also asked if it was mandatory as I don't remember it being stipulated in the contract. The girl sounded a bit sheepish and said no its not mandatory, the landlord just asked if we would because she has an allergy to pet hair! I know they wanted us to pay because the email even stated they could recommended a contractor.
Anyway I told them I'm not prepared to pay out. I will clean myself (would have anyway) and that's it. The place wasn't spotless when we moved in so of course I will leave it clean, but I don't see why the landlord should get a better standard at my expense.

Well done for checking, well worth a phone call.

Out of interest when we refurbish a property we have it carpeted professionally at the end of the job with new (just in case anyone thought second hand) carpets. We stipulate professional carpet cleaning on exit with receipt, so far we haven't had a tenant leave a house we have refurbished, obviously they weren't professionally cleaned prior to tenant moving in because they were brand new and lovely and smelt new etc.

I hope common sense would prevail and they would be cleaned. I would have imagined carpets would need replacing after a few years in a rental but apart from one tearaway who did pay for new carpets (think make-up, fake tan, fag burns and food spills) they are in very good condition. I always hoped that providing a lovely home with a new kitchen / new bathroom / fully decorated / new carpets would attract a tenant who cared and looked after the place. So far with 1 exception it has.

Fireflyaway

Mr.Generous that's an interesting and good approach. Our new place has been well looked after and from dealings so far it seems the landlord is a reasonable person who will maintain the place well. All too often renters are viewed as less worthy and have to put up with rubbish. I know there are some nightmare tenant's though! I think the previous landlord was an 'accidental landlord' and begrudged having someone in her house where as this guy does it for a business and knows there are costs involved but hopefully appreciates good tennant's too. It goes both ways.