End of Tenancy Clean - Got a company in to do it who have done a poor job. What actions do I have?

Sam_Brown

Moving out from rented flat to our first house. We had a lot of things on our plate so to help with the stress we paid a cleaning company to perform End of Tenancy Clean. This included carpets and oven being professionally cleaned and also a general End of Tenancy Clean.

We have had our "final inspection" from the landlord who is finding fault with a lot of things I missed and I really can't argue against the majority of the claims. There is also an awful smell in the flat which seems to be from the "carpet cleaning".

Cleaning company is refusing a refund however they have stated they will be happy to come out and "make good" the issues although I don't hold out much hope of them cleaning to the required standard based on current experience. It also appears the oven has been "cleaned" but not what the landlord would call a "professional clean".

Landlord says he'd rather we sort it out and doesn't want the hassle of getting someone else in but we only have the weekend to make good.

I have requested a refund which they have outright denied saying "they can't take the hit" but as far as I'm concerned they've not completed what they said they would.

If the cleaning company don't get their act together and make good what recourse do I have? Ideally I'd like a refund but I'm also concerned with the smell they may have screwed up the carpet and if that needs replacing I don't want to take the hit on that due to their mess up and ideally would need to potentially claim damages.

What do?

pbartlett

when did you sign your tenancy agreement - it may be illegal for your landlord to insist on any kind of professional cleaning - all such charges are now outlawed

also the landlord cannot just withold any of your deposit - presumable your deposit is in a deposit protection scheme ?

https://homelet.co.uk/tenants/tips-for-tenants/end-of-tenancy-how-clean-is-clean

JJ_Egan

Quantify your actual losses and go via Small Claims .

pbartlett

suggest you re-post in

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/house-buying-renting-selling

the cleaning you have had done is almost certainly sufficient and the landlord cannot insist on more

Sam_Brown

pbartlett said:

suggest you re-post in

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/house-buying-renting-selling

the cleaning you have had done is almost certainly sufficient and the landlord cannot insist on more

Thanks. 

pbartlett said:

when did you sign your tenancy agreement - it may be illegal for your landlord to insist on any kind of professional cleaning - all such charges are now outlawed

also the landlord cannot just withold any of your deposit - presumable your deposit is in a deposit protection scheme ?

https://homelet.co.uk/tenants/tips-for-tenants/end-of-tenancy-how-clean-is-clean

We initially moved in about three years ago although we may have signed 12 months ago to extend the tenancy for a further year. 

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

My understanding is that the home should be in the same condition it was when you took possession. 

The landlord needs a check in inventory to prove any deductions against the deposit and your deposit should be protected with you having the option to dispute any proposed deductions. 

If your landlord hasn't protected your deposit you can issue small claim proceedings and the court  will award a penalty of up to 3 times the deposit. 

As above post on:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/house-buying-renting-selling

with photos of the issues you believe the landlord will want to claim for and posters there will give you a good idea of who is being reasonable. 

RE the carpet, the landlord can't claim the cost of a new carpet as that is betterment, they can claim the remainder of it's life that has been lost, for carpets in the slim chance there's a valid claim by the landlord it's likely to be a very small amount. 

pinkshoes

Sam_Brown said:

Moving out from rented flat to our first house. We had a lot of things on our plate so to help with the stress we paid a cleaning company to perform End of Tenancy Clean. This included carpets and oven being professionally cleaned and also a general End of Tenancy Clean.

We have had our "final inspection" from the landlord who is finding fault with a lot of things I missed and I really can't argue against the majority of the claims. There is also an awful smell in the flat which seems to be from the "carpet cleaning".

Cleaning company is refusing a refund however they have stated they will be happy to come out and "make good" the issues although I don't hold out much hope of them cleaning to the required standard based on current experience. It also appears the oven has been "cleaned" but not what the landlord would call a "professional clean".

Landlord says he'd rather we sort it out and doesn't want the hassle of getting someone else in but we only have the weekend to make good.

I have requested a refund which they have outright denied saying "they can't take the hit" but as far as I'm concerned they've not completed what they said they would.

If the cleaning company don't get their act together and make good what recourse do I have? Ideally I'd like a refund but I'm also concerned with the smell they may have screwed up the carpet and if that needs replacing I don't want to take the hit on that due to their mess up and ideally would need to potentially claim damages.

What do?

What do? You act fast!

If you only have this weekend (when does your tenancy end??), and you agree with the landlord that the property doesn't meet the standards that were set when you moved in, then you need to make the cleaning company come back THIS WEEKEND and do whatever needs doing that they didn't do.

If the carpets stink then I imagine they were left damp for too long so will need cleaning again and making sure they are dry. 

If they cannot come back this weekend, then tell them you will have to hire a rugdoctor to do it yourself and they will need to pay the rental cost.