Moved into a property with lots of issues

Chrisdc561

So me, my girlfriend and a friend have moved into a new property today. Upon arrival we found not only was it dirty but a lot of dirty stuff was left behind (a used toothbrush, dirty toilet brushes, deep fat fryer filled with oil, dirty towels and pillows stuffed into cupboards, dirty plates, cups and pans and to top it off a hung up dirty shirt)
the windows hadn’t been cleaned before moving in, and all the door handles were dirty. Contacted them and they sent a cleaner but have said they can’t get anyone to remove all the rubbish left behind so if we want it gone today we’ll have to do it ourselves. We haven’t received an inventory either ( and won’t till tomorrow) so unsure what we can throw and what is part of the tenancy. Don’t feel safe staying in the flat for the night as it is unsafe and unhygienic especially considering the current virus situation.
contacted them to complain and all they said was that they were too busy to do a proper check and if we aren’t happy we can hand back the keys and not move in.

any advice?

Falafels

Take photos before you do anything, then clean it up yourselves. You are obliged to leave it in the same condition as that which you found it (ha!) Keep the items until you're sure they're not on the inventory, and bin if necessary. For storage purposes a big black bin liner will suffice.

How long has the place been left empty before you moved in? If it's been more than a few days, don't worry about viruses. Otherwise... get your disinfectant, household cleaner, sponges and gloves - and go for it!

It's been a while since I rented, but I've lived in places which were fine other than being dirty - and scrubbing everything down was part of making it feel as though it was mine. Very satisfying.

Conversely, I once had a new tenant move in immediately the previous one had moved out. It was all handled by the agent, so I didn't get a chance to inspect or anything. Apparently she had a huge list of complaints (light bulb not working, there were spiders in the understairs cupboard etc) and the agent had to explain to her that things like light bulbs were her responsibility, and that it was a rental property and not a hotel.

Just view this as a temporary blip, get stuck in and then enjoy your new home!

carefullycautious

I'm afraid I would not stay there either. Have you signed a tenancy agreement?

bbat

Agree with falafels, take lots and lots of photos. Years ago I moved into a property like this. They'd shoved their unwashed washing up into a box and put it under the stairs. The meter had run out and all the food in freezer defrosted. Grim. I was prepared and armed with cleaning stuff anyway, but it was more work than I anticipated. 
This was way before smart phones and how I wish I had taken photos so when our landlady was a nightmare at the end of our tenancy (and throughout) I could have had that evidence. This was before deposit protection too! 

Anyway, I think cleaning will make you feel more comfortable, even if it's annoying and not what you expected. 

Ps..agent sounds charming saying you could hand back keys, where do they think you could magic yourself off to?!

RelievedSheff

Assuming you need somewhere to live then just arm yourself with some rubber gloves and plenty of cleaning products and get scrubbing. At least you know it has been cleaned properly if you do it yourself.

I know you shouldn't have too but sometimes needs must.

Take lots of photos as evidence of the state of the place when you moved in.

mrschaucer

RelievedSheff said:

Assuming you need somewhere to live then just arm yourself with some rubber gloves and plenty of cleaning products and get scrubbing. At least you know it has been cleaned properly if you do it yourself.

I know you shouldn't have too but sometimes needs must.

Take lots of photos as evidence of the state of the place when you moved in.

This.  And console yourselves with the prospect of NOT having to clean when you move out.

KatrinaWaves

Falafels said:

Conversely, I once had a new tenant move in immediately the previous one had moved out. It was all handled by the agent, so I didn't get a chance to inspect or anything. Apparently she had a huge list of complaints (light bulb not working, there were spiders in the understairs cupboard etc) and the agent had to explain to her that things like light bulbs were her responsibility, and that it was a rental property and not a hotel.

Honestly having a tenant move into a property with non working lightbulbs is unprofessional. You were in control and chose not to allow any time to go in and do a new inventory.

Falafels

KatrinaWaves said:

Falafels said:

Conversely, I once had a new tenant move in immediately the previous one had moved out. It was all handled by the agent, so I didn't get a chance to inspect or anything. Apparently she had a huge list of complaints (light bulb not working, there were spiders in the understairs cupboard etc) and the agent had to explain to her that things like light bulbs were her responsibility, and that it was a rental property and not a hotel.

Honestly having a tenant move into a property with non working lightbulbs is unprofessional. You were in control and chose not to allow any time to go in and do a new inventory.

I... I grovel in humility.

Chrisdc561

bbat said:

Agree with falafels, take lots and lots of photos. Years ago I moved into a property like this. They'd shoved their unwashed washing up into a box and put it under the stairs. The meter had run out and all the food in freezer defrosted. Grim. I was prepared and armed with cleaning stuff anyway, but it was more work than I anticipated. 
This was way before smart phones and how I wish I had taken photos so when our landlady was a nightmare at the end of our tenancy (and throughout) I could have had that evidence. This was before deposit protection too! 

Anyway, I think cleaning will make you feel more comfortable, even if it's annoying and not what you expected. 

Ps..agent sounds charming saying you could hand back keys, where do they think you could magic yourself off to?!

Yeah took photos of everything as they have tried to claim they think we are lying, sent a report to public health England as with the current situation it’s unacceptable for things such as dirty toothbrushes to be left behind and for us to be expected to clean it, once we told them we’d sent this report they were very compliant and are now beginning to sort everything out for us. (No more smart and smug responses from them anymore)

Thanks!

Chrisdc561

Falafels said:

Take photos before you do anything, then clean it up yourselves. You are obliged to leave it in the same condition as that which you found it (ha!) Keep the items until you're sure they're not on the inventory, and bin if necessary. For storage purposes a big black bin liner will suffice.

How long has the place been left empty before you moved in? If it's been more than a few days, don't worry about viruses. Otherwise... get your disinfectant, household cleaner, sponges and gloves - and go for it!

It's been a while since I rented, but I've lived in places which were fine other than being dirty - and scrubbing everything down was part of making it feel as though it was mine. Very satisfying.

Conversely, I once had a new tenant move in immediately the previous one had moved out. It was all handled by the agent, so I didn't get a chance to inspect or anything. Apparently she had a huge list of complaints (light bulb not working, there were spiders in the understairs cupboard etc) and the agent had to explain to her that things like light bulbs were her responsibility, and that it was a rental property and not a hotel.

Just view this as a temporary blip, get stuck in and then enjoy your new home!

Hearing conflicting stories, the letting agents claim the previous tenants had only just moved out hence not enough time for them to properly sort it out. However upon speaking to the cleaners, they told us they came to clean this place a week ago and at that point it had already been Vacated.

but yes we have began cleaning and have left a nice pile of dirty clothes, sheets and toothbrushes!!

Chrisdc561

carefullycautious said:

I'm afraid I would not stay there either. Have you signed a tenancy agreement?

Sadly yes, but haven’t really got anywhere else to live even if we didn’t want to stay here