Deposit deducted for professional clean, but inventory states average domestic clean

wangbadan

I'm having an issue with my landlord making a claim for professional cleaning, despite me having cleaned the place on departure.

When I moved into the apartment,  every surface was covered with painting dust. It was certainly not professionally cleaned. In fact, the check in inventory specified that it was in a condition of “basic/average domestic clean”.   

When I moved out, my understanding was that it had to be cleaned to the same standard as specified in the check in inventory. So that’s what I did. But later on I was surprised with a large bill (£220) deducted from the deposit for professional cleaning. 

Do I have any recourse here? I feel like I’ve been ambushed. I want to challenge it, but don’t want to waste my time doing so if it's going to be fruitless. Thanks for any advice.

AdrianC

How much would an "average domestic" clean cost your landlord...?

The time to query the check-in condition was when you moved in, but I presume you accepted it then.

wangbadan

I don't know how much it would cost them. I did my own cleaning before leaving, as it was an unfurnished apartment and I thought the standard should be easy enough to meet. Yes, I accepted the check-in condition, as didn't know what else to do. Is it still worth me challenging this, using the inventories as evidence?

greatcrested

wangbadan said:

...

..... the check in inventory specified that it was in a condition of “basic/average domestic clean”.   

When I moved out, my understanding was that it had to be cleaned to the same standard as specified in the check in inventory....

You are right. You must leave it "“basic/average domestic clean”.    (whatever that means!)

Raise a dispute.

Wanderingpomm

Professional clean isn't really a thing, there are no cleaning qualifications so anyone can do it. What matters is the results. In order to claim for cleaning the LL needs to demonstrate that the property is in a worse state than the inventory. They can then claim to bring it to the same state as check in (minus wear and tear) 

wangbadan

Wanderingpomm said:

Professional clean isn't really a thing, there are no cleaning qualifications so anyone can do it. What matters is the results. In order to claim for cleaning the LL needs to demonstrate that the property is in a worse state than the inventory. They can then claim to bring it to the same state as check in (minus wear and tear) 

So would the best way to dispute this  be just to highlight the check in vs the check out inventory? And do I need to go through them both point by point, or can I just indicate the overall condition as assessed by the inventory checker??

AdrianC

Wanderingpomm said:

Professional clean isn't really a thing

Professional clean certainly IS "a thing".

It's a clean done by anybody being paid to do it.
"used to describe someone who does a job that people usually do as a hobby"
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/professional

bouicca21

What evidence do you have?  Did you take photos when you moved in and when you left to show the condition of the property? You have said the check in inventory said it was average/domestic clean; what does the check out inventory say?

I'd dispute it.  Apart from any other factor, unless it were a mansion, £220 sounds a lot.

wangbadan

bouicca21 said:

What evidence do you have?  Did you take photos when you moved in and when you left to show the condition of the property? You have said the check in inventory said it was average/domestic clean; what does the check out inventory say?

I'd dispute it.  Apart from any other factor, unless it were a mansion, £220 sounds a lot.

I have a detailed inventory, with photos, for both check-in and check-out. Both reports summarise the overall condition with the description "Average domestic clean" - defined as "Domestic clean, but signs of dust to woodwork, kitchen units marked, appliances need additional cleaning. Carpets vacuumed and floors swept. Dust/hairs to sanitary ware - requiring further cleaning".  

As stated earlier, I did the final clean myself, as well as I could. Some areas may not have been to a perfectly professional standard, but according to the inventory that was not required. 

It was a 1bedroom unfurnished apartment, hence 220 is ridiculous yes! 

greatcrested

wangbadan said:

Wanderingpomm said:

Professional clean isn't really a thing, there are no cleaning qualifications so anyone can do it. What matters is the results. In order to claim for cleaning the LL needs to demonstrate that the property is in a worse state than the inventory. They can then claim to bring it to the same state as check in (minus wear and tear) 

So would the best way to dispute this  be just to highlight the check in vs the check out inventory? And do I need to go through them both point by point, or can I just indicate the overall condition as assessed by the inventory checker??

Dear Mr Landlord,

Further to your letter/email/telephone conversation in which you propose deducting £220 from my deposit for cleaning, I refer you to the condition of the property when I ended the tenancy as compared to the condition as described in the check-in inventory.

I therefore donot accept the deduction.

Kindly return my deposit in full within the next 5 days. Failure to do so will result in the matter being referred to the deposit protection scheme for arbitration.

Yours sincerely

wangbadan.

MalMonroe

I'd definitely fight this one. Landlords can be very unscrupulous and as you have photos of the conditions both before and after, I think you'd be in a very strong position. £220 to clean a one bed flat, extortionate!!