Agent charging extortionate end of tenancy 'professional' cleaning & carpet steam fees

es5595

The DPS will simply compare the photos from check in to the ones you and they provide for check out. Only if the check out photos show that it hasn’t been cleaned would they then look at the cleaning quote presented by the agent. 

If you have already cleaned and believe it was “equal to, apart from wear and tear” the check-in photos, you have no issue. 

If you left it “in need of cleaning” then you might wish to get some quotes of your own to highlight the vast difference in price. 

macman

You can't force the agent to use a different cleaner: you can accept their quote, or reject it and make your own arrangements. Personally I'd hire my own contractor, even if it still cost £700, just for the petty satisfaction of denying the agent their bung.

grumiofoundation

macman said:

You can't force the agent to use a different cleaner: you can accept their quote, or reject it and make your own arrangements. Personally I'd hire my own contractor, even if it still cost £700, just for the petty satisfaction of denying the agent their bung.

Why? You don't need to hire a contractor at all.

macman

No, you don't. But hiring a rental machine for the day is unlikely to produce a result as good as that from a commercial grade machine with a trained operator. It all depends what the original standard of cleaning was.

Jake_000

The below are a few pictures from the inventory. Note: I actually painted 'bedroom two' myself and I had to spend half a day wiping the walls with wet wipes as there was so much dirt on the walls. There are plenty of other photos although I don't think they really go far in detailing the standard of cleanliness. However, like I said earlier the whole house is a bit worn - marks on carpets, flaky paint, grub marks etc. etc. 

greatcrested

Jake_000 said:

... should we decide to personally clean and then the agent/LL seeks deductions, will they need to present more reasonable quotes to the DPS?

You can contest the deductions on either or both of  these criteria:

1) the cleaning was unecessary (as you had cleaned adequately yourself)

2) IF the cleaning was necessary, the price charged by the LL is excessive

The scheme arbitrators will decide in each case. In the case of 2) above, you can strengthen your case by presenting alternative, lower quotes from a cleaner/cleaning company.

[Deleted User]

Jake_000 said:

The below are a few pictures from the inventory. Note: I actually painted 'bedroom two' myself and I had to spend half a day wiping the walls with wet wipes as there was so much dirt on the walls. There are plenty of other photos although I don't think they really go far in detailing the standard of cleanliness. However, like I said earlier the whole house is a bit worn - marks on carpets, flaky paint, grub marks etc. etc. 

Wet wipes????? Just use a cleaning spray (or white vinegar in water) and a cloth.  Wet wipes do have their uses but also their limitations.

However I agree there is no way the property was cleaned before you moved in.  Those pictures will prove your claim.

nnewtoarea

Cleaning companies will generally do this in 3 hours. Maximum 150. Try online quotes. Get a receipt.

es5595

That’s where your inventory photos from check in can be used to prove/disprove and show the standard it was given in. 

Obviously if the standard it was handed over to you in was high, it needs to be handed back to that standard, if it was handed over with stains in the carpets, marks on walls and door frames, dust, hair etc. The standard you have to meet to give it back is much lower. 

SpiderLegs

Mishadaniel has joined today and seems very interested in promoting the use of cleaning companies from their posts so far. 

Spam.