End of tenancy - cleaning costs

BradZ

We are currently in a dispute with our letting agent who wants to take £215 off of our deposit because of cleaning for the whole flat needing to be done. The check out report does state some cleaning needing to be done like dust on doors, glass dirty, smear on light switch, fluff on floor etc. How much would that cost roughly? Im happy for them to take some money for a light clean but £215 is alot. plus they had the carpets cleaned and we also paid £84 before we moved out for them to professionally cleaned but they are stating as the report said the carpets are dirty (its down to them being 15+ years old and rubbish carpets) then they cant take off the money we have paid as they had to have them done again.

Comms69

£215 is about half days work for a cleaner - so the cost for what they're claiming is about right.


BUT what was the state of the house when you moved in? As that is the test.

BradZ

It certainly was not professionally cleaned when we moved in, big shower gel marks on the walls, dust everywhere, they keep ignoring the fact whenever i mentioned to them it was in the same condision if not better then when we moved in.

The_Unready

BradZ wrote: »

We are currently in a dispute with our letting agent who wants to take £215 off of our deposit because of cleaning for the whole flat needing to be done. The check out report does state some cleaning needing to be done like dust on doors, glass dirty, smear on light switch, fluff on floor etc. How much would that cost roughly? Im happy for them to take some money for a light clean but £215 is alot. plus they had the carpets cleaned and we also paid £84 before we moved out for them to professionally cleaned but they are stating as the report said the carpets are dirty (its down to them being 15+ years old and rubbish carpets) then they cant take off the money we have paid as they had to have them done again.

Have a look here to get an idea of typical 'professional' cleaning prices for various sized properties (this is for London).

That might put you in a better position when it comes to negotiating prices.

Comms69

BradZ wrote: »

It certainly was not professionally cleaned when we moved in, big shower gel marks on the walls, dust everywhere, they keep ignoring the fact whenever i mentioned to them it was in the same condision if not better then when we moved in.

then let it go to arbitration.

SerialRenter

If the property was not 'professionally' cleaned when you entered the tenancy, and the carpets are 15 years old, then i would raise a claim with the deposit protection service that your deposit should be lodged with for the full amount back. Don't bother negotiating with the letting agents.

If the property is the same, minus fair wear and tear then you should be able to contest their bill.

BradZ

My worry is how can we prove it wasnt professionally cleaned when we moved in? If it was it certainly wasnt to a good standard, I worry we dont have the evidence to win a dispute.

pinklady21

What did the check in report say? Did you sign off the inventory? What did it say about cleanliness?
did you take any photos at the start and end of the tenancy?
did the agent / landlord take any photos?

If you ask the deposit protection company to arbitrate, this is the evidence they will look at. Best of luck.

Comms69

BradZ wrote: »

My worry is how can we prove it wasnt professionally cleaned when we moved in? If it was it certainly wasnt to a good standard, I worry we dont have the evidence to win a dispute.

Your LL must prove the claim, not you?.... It's your money afterall - sorry but surely that's obvious

Erika_Bell

It is unfair for letting agents to apply such charges, especially when you’ve been renting this property for long time. You still have to leave the property in reasonably cleaned condition thought. I’ve been in similar situation before and they’ve been asking an extortionate amount for cleaning, half of my rental deposit was about to be alocated for cleaning. My advise is, never agree to the letting agents cleaning offer. It is usually twice more expensive than organising a professional cleaning company yourself. There are many out there, but it is important to choose a proper company with years of experience, like Miss Maid or Eco Maid, who guarantees the job they are doing to be accepted. Hope this helps.

G_M

Erika_Bell wrote: »

It is unfair for letting agents to apply such charges, especially when you’ve been renting this property for long time. You still have to leave the property in reasonably cleaned condition thought. I’ve been in similar situation before and they’ve been asking an extortionate amount for cleaning, half of my rental deposit was about to be alocated for cleaning. My advise is, never agree to the letting agents cleaning offer. It is usually twice more expensive than organising a professional cleaning company yourself. There are many out there, but it is important to choose a proper company with years of experience, like Miss Maid or Eco Maid, who guarantees the job they are doing to be accepted. Hope this helps.

Or pay your mum/sister to do it.

Mine would both do an ace job!

It's the quality of the clean that matters, not who does it.....