Tenancy Checkout, Cleaner refusing to give invoice

aneary

Guest101 wrote: »

Can I suggest you research the topic before giving inaccurate advice

I have been in a tenancy were it's part of the contract!!!

So I do know, if they put it in the contract and it has been professionally cleaned prior to you moving in you have to do the same before leaving!

Guest101

aneary wrote: »

I have been in a tenancy were it's part of the contract!!! - I'm sure you have. It doesn't mean anything though.

So I do know, if they put it in the contract and it has been professionally cleaned prior to you moving in you have to do the same before leaving!

No you don't. You think you do, but you don't.


Let me ask you this: If you cleaned it yourself, what would the landlord claim for?


The property is still clean, he/she has no 'loss'.


- This is why it's important to do research.

aneary

Then you have to dispute it through the the deposit scheme do you know how long that can take! My time is worth more than the cost of cleaner (as is most people's).

The only time I would ever dispute the clause (before signing) is if the state of the flat is poor.

The OP has a receipt, he got a 'professional' cleaner he hasn't even asked the agency if they will accept it he just doesn't think they will.

SerialRenter

aneary wrote: »

Then you have to dispute it through the the deposit scheme do you know how long that can take!

Seems like it'll be quicker than waiting for the letting agents/landlord to stop making excuses.

Guest101

aneary wrote: »

Then you have to dispute it through the the deposit scheme do you know how long that can take! - yes, I've done it before. My time is worth more than the cost of cleaner (as is most people's). - Im not convinced that's true. a decent cleaner is £50-80 for a half day. Disputing the deposit takes approx. 30-45 minutes

The only time I would ever dispute the clause (before signing) is if the state of the flat is poor. - not sure how that's relevant

The OP has a receipt, he got a 'professional' cleaner he hasn't even asked the agency if they will accept it he just doesn't think they will.

You can do as you wish. But most people don't want to pay for something that they can do themselves with not much effort

Reue

Guidance on unfair terms in tenancy agreements

4.4. cleaning charges - a requirement to pay for cleaning at the end of the tenancy may be unfair if it is vague or unclear about the basis on which money will be demanded, or the extent of the cleaning involved. Such a term is more likely to be fair if the amount of the charge is expressly limited to reasonable compensation for a failure to take care of the property (see also our views below on excessive charges)

4.8. excessive cleaning charges - as a matter of normal practice in short lets, reflecting the common law, tenants are expected to return the property in as good and clean a condition as it was when they received it, with fair wear and tear excepted. We therefore commonly object to terms that could be used to make the tenant pay for the property to be cleaned to a higher standard than it was in at the start of the tenancy, or that require cleaning regardless of whether or not this is necessary for the tenant to comply with their normal obligations with regard to the state of the property

So they cannot just demand/charge for professional cleaning unless limited to reasonable compensation for failure to clean properly yourself.

Marvel1

aneary wrote: »

It depends on the contract they can request a professional cleaning company it may be the standard out for them. I always check these conditions against the state of the flat/house before signing. My current one doesn't and the flat will be left in a better state than when I moved in as I can't leave it filthy like it was when I moved in.

If professional cleaning is in the contract then you would need proof.

It appears that the OP hasn't asked the agency if the receipt given is sufficient I would start there.

What qualifies as professional? Do they take any specific course? Did you ask to see their certificates?

david1951

aneary wrote: »

Then you have to dispute it through the the deposit scheme do you know how long that can take! My time is worth more than the cost of cleaner (as is most people's).

The only time I would ever dispute the clause (before signing) is if the state of the flat is poor.

The OP has a receipt, he got a 'professional' cleaner he hasn't even asked the agency if they will accept it he just doesn't think they will.

With respect, you're now conflating the issues because you have come to realise that you were wrong initially.

Advice for OP is to produce the receipt they have. If they don't accept it, then they can rest assured they will have no problem getting the deposit back (through the scheme if necessary), as long as they take photos to show the state of the flat upon leaving. FYI, this was post #1.

As others have said, for future reference the contract clause is unenforceable. So if they want to they can just keep whatever flat/house they are renting tidy, give it a spring clean at the end, and they will be fine.

Alternatively, they can pay a cleaner to do this if they don't have the time, or simply don't want to.

pilliepop

Thanks everyone for your replies which have all been helpful. My second question earlier was not meant to come across abrupt by the way - it was a genuine question! Apologies if anyone has misinterpreted this..

The inventory clerk said at checkout that the receipt I'd been given wasn't acceptable - however as my friend said and many of you have said, it has the amount paid, the company details and a description of the work carried out - it's a receipt.

Also, I take on board your comments about 'professional cleaners', agreed - there's no Guild of Master Cleaners!

I have forwarded the receipt I've been given, along with the cleaner's full company details, address and telephone number to Beresfords and explained that the cleaner does not have the facility to produce a typed receipt. We'll see what the response is.

If their response is not good, I'll go straight to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

Again, thanks to everyone - your comments have been very helpful.

Guest101

pilliepop wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your replies which have all been helpful. My second question earlier was not meant to come across abrupt by the way - it was a genuine question! Apologies if anyone has misinterpreted this..

The inventory clerk said at checkout that the receipt I'd been given wasn't acceptable - however as my friend said and many of you have said, it has the amount paid, the company details and a description of the work carried out - it's a receipt. - And it's totally not relevant in any case. He/she may as well have said, your shoes aren't acceptable.

Also, I take on board your comments about 'professional cleaners', agreed - there's no Guild of Master Cleaners!

I have forwarded the receipt I've been given, along with the cleaner's full company details, address and telephone number to Beresfords and explained that the cleaner does not have the facility to produce a typed receipt. We'll see what the response is.

If their response is not good, I'll go straight to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

Again, thanks to everyone - your comments have been very helpful.

Goodluck!!