End of tenancy disinfection

PiedPiper89

Hi all, we are due to leave privately rented accommodation at the start of June, moving to our newly bought home. 

The current estate agent has advised that we need to have the rental property disinfected at our cost when we leave, is this something that can be enforced? Surely we are only obligated to clean as you would usually (pre covid)? Any advice welcomed.

Thanks

MovingForwards

Spray some disinfectant around before closing the door on the place and the letting agents stupid request.

What was in your agreement about returning the property after leaving it? If no mention of it, then tough.

John_

If it’s in your original,contract, then they could charge you if it’s not done. As it won’t be, then no.

PiedPiper89

Thanks, will dig through the contract, landlord is a bit of penny pincher so guess they are just seeing what they can get away with!

Flugelhorn

Unlikely to be in your contract - probably says it should be clean not disinfected. I would just spray lots of smelly stuff around - how will they know ?

davidmcn

Did they specify exactly what they meant by "disinfected"? There is no government guidance to suggest special measures need to be taken (unless someone suspected of having COVID is living there). The virus doesn't survive long outside a host, it's not going to lurk in your carpet and jump out at the next resident weeks later.

You're certainly not obliged to do more than it says in your tenancy agreement.

greatcrested

Load of rubbish.

Either ignore totally, or as suggested above a quick squirt of something detol-like to keep them happy.

If the LL/agent is worried about the virus, he should wait 24 hours before going in.

theartfullodger

Ignore this grasping cheating' agent/landlord.  Do nothing.

Maybe go into agent's office & spray some disinfectant about... they obviously think it's what should be done.

Artful: Landlord since 2000

[Deleted User]

Could this simply be a request to wipe down surfaces before they enter? 

vitaweat

PiedPiper89 said:

Hi all, we are due to leave privately rented accommodation at the start of June, moving to our newly bought home. 

The current estate agent has advised that we need to have the rental property disinfected at our cost when we leave, is this something that can be enforced? Surely we are only obligated to clean as you would usually (pre covid)? Any advice welcomed.

Thanks

What does your contract say?  If it doesn't mention disinfecting the place you have no reason to do so no matter what these idiots say.  If the EA/LL wants to vary the contract then they need to renegotiate.  In your position I'd be happy to disinfect in return for a cash payment, otherwise they can do one.  Your response to a request to a contract variation is up to you of course.

GDB2222

The virus lasts on metal surfaces such as doorknobs for 3 days, so you may want to do your bit to safeguard anybody entering the property. This would be out of the kindness of your heart, rather than an obligation, unless you have a really weird lease.

 It’s actually not a big job. Dilute some bleach in water. Don the Marigolds. Wipe everything washable with a damp bleachy cloth. Ten minutes, and you’ll be doing your best to help the local hospital.  The hard pressed staff would probably prefer that to your expending a similar effort clapping them on a Thursday.