After tenants, before completion- who cleans?

peterdm

We are at the final stages of buying first house. The current tenants will move out on Monday and we hope to complete on Wednesday. 

I’m wondering how much we should push the estate agent to ensure the house is clean and tidy. Whose responsibility is it to ensure it is clean? We’re not too concerned about major issues from the tenants as we met them and the estate agents are also happy with them. 

Just some advice appreciated. Thanks. 

AdrianC

It's the vendor's.

But be realistic. It's not like a tenancy...

hazyjo

I hope you've not been allowed to exchange with the tenants still in situ. In fact, it's not advisable to spend any money on the purchase until they've left, so you're being very erm 'brave' leaving it this late!

When you buy a house, it's meant to be clean but in my experience, it's usually not. The tenant will be expected to leave it clean, but you can't guarantee they will.

If you haven't exchanged, you really should try to view again before you do actually exchange. If filthy, you'd best make sure you know where you've packed your Marigolds (or book a cleaner)!

pinkteapot

It's always a risk when buying - some people are nice and leave the place clean (I hoover on move-out day after the removers have emptied the place), some people leave it in a pig state. That can happen with vendors or tenants. Assume it'll need a deep clean, be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't - that way you avoid disappointment. 

The house should be handed over in the same condition it was in at exchange. I believe that's the only contractual responsibility on the vendor. So if exchange is after the tenants have left and it's a tip, that's how you'll get it.

kazwookie

Make sure they have actually left on Monday, then go and check the house again to ensure they haven't taken the kitchen or doors or similar with them.

Do NOT exchange or complete until the tenants have ACTUALLY gone

All rubbish should be gone and the property should be clean, but people have vary different ideas as to what clean is!!

davidmcn

The legal answer is the condition stated in the contract - you have read the contract, haven't you?

Bear in mind that a typical level of cleanliness is that of owner-occupiers who have hurriedly emptied the contents into a removal van an hour or two earlier - don't expect the sort of deep clean which fussy letting agents seem to want.

MovingForwards

Expect to go in and clean, before moving your things in.

Comms69

Does the contract say it will be cleaned? Because i dont expect it to be mentioned. Surely you've not exchanged???

greatcrested

Let's hope OP has not exchanged.

Let's hope tenants do leave on Monday.

Let's hope OP does a viewing on Tuesday to check vacant (and clean? 'ish'?) before Exchanging & Completing on Wednesday.

Let's hope OP has booked a cleaning company or friends/famiy to go in on Wednesday.

wilfred30

OP - are you planning on doing a simultaneous exchange/completion on Wednesday?

If so, as has been advised, you'll need to check that the tenants have actually left on Monday.

The tenants are likely to clean the property before leaving, although probably only to the same standard it was when they moved in, in order to get their deposit back.

Hannimal

The tenants should clean but if they don't then there's nothing you can do about it. So be prepared to clean it.