End of tenancy clean - Is this ridiculous or is it me?

BobT36

It's crazy some of the crap they come up with. Some guy on here lost a claim with the arbitration scheme because of "discoloured flagstones" after a significant amount of time living there.. Tenants are expected to control the weather now? 

Also "a cobweb". Get a feather duster out and 2 seconds of your time, then? 
It's like a hotel expecting guests to fully clean an entire room, make the bed and everything, immediately ready for the next customer. That's surely not how it's meant to work, is it? 

Sure I know some tenants leave the place filthy, rubbish everywhere, infestations etc but surely that's classed as "damage", rather than "needs a bit of a hoover and a dust" (which it will do after the movers are done, anyway..)

Murphybear

See the following from the ARLA website

DEEP CLEAN

Cleaning is the number one reason for tenancy deposit disputes so don't leave yourself too much to do when you move out. Remember that in light of the Tenant Fees Act, your landlord (or letting agent) cannot demand you use a professional cleaning company.

If you’re feeling brave, whip out the marigolds and get stuck in. If you don’t fancy getting your hands dirty, you can always arrange for a professional to do it for you prior to your check-out appointment.

If you do a hire a professional company to clean the property, then make sure you keep any receipts from them as proof of the clean and to use as evidence should a deposit dispute arise. Note that all rubbish and personal belongings must be removed, if the outdoor bin is full you will need to remove excess bin bags from the property.  

TBagpuss

As others have said, apply to the deposit protection scheme for your full deposit back.

IF the landlords want to pursue it, then provide your photos and if possible the receipt from the cleaning company.
It sounds as though a few dead flies and cobwebs may have built up in the month between you getting it cleaned and them inspecting, so a small deduction might be reasonable although it might be for maybe 1 house worth of time for a cleaner to tidy up.

Grass - what does your agreement say? if you are required to keep th garden tidy then they could have an argument there but again, check local ads or the cost of having someone come and mow as your start point for what might be reasonable.

BobT36

"It sounds as though a few dead flies and cobwebs may have built up in the month between you getting it cleaned and them inspecting"

Do people REALLY charge for that? Come on!!

youth_leader

I cleaned my rental to an inch of its life - I thought.  I still received a close up photo of 'ANIMAL DEBRISi/FUR' on the top of the radiator, and a cobweb - but they let me off.  My son walked around with me and checked everything before I handed the keys back, it was cleaner than when I moved in.

My daughter will be leaving her rental in the future.  I am too far away to help and will offer to pay for a professional, photographed and documented clean. 

BobT36

Bonkers how they complain about cobwebs. Sure if it looks like an Egyptian tomb and has never been cleaned in the entire tenancy, but otherwise they can spring up overnight! 

Ditzy_Mitzy

Where is the house?  Tell the landlord that I'll sweep away the cobwebs and clean the oven for the bargain price of £450...  

TripleH

Another for lodge a claim with deposit scheme.

Did you have a check in report when you moved in that you had the chance to agree with / dispute?

Do you have both confirmation of when you moved out and the day of your inspection?  Do you have evidence of this 'dirt' they claim?

The DRS is evidence based, so state facts like the long lapse between exit and inspection. If you have emails you can attach showing this time frame all the better.

TripleH

Actually, do you realise, if you don't pay the letting agent 'fees for cleaning' that will mean fewer Friday afternoons in a nice wine bar drinking Pimms for them.

Have a heart 😉

gazfocus

TripleH said:

Another for lodge a claim with deposit scheme.

Did you have a check in report when you moved in that you had the chance to agree with / dispute?

Do you have both confirmation of when you moved out and the day of your inspection?  Do you have evidence of this 'dirt' they claim?

The DRS is evidence based, so state facts like the long lapse between exit and inspection. If you have emails you can attach showing this time frame all the better.

We do have a very detailed check in report. Every inch of the house (and gardens) was photographed which is very impressive and I fully appreciate the agent has high standards. We also have photos of the house and gardens from the day of the inspection and the house looks just as good as the day we moved in going by the photos, apart from one of the 3 lawns being overgrown which we've offered to pay to have taken care of. 

I have accepted that we may have missed something(s) but not enough to justify a deep clean, and certainly not a deep clean at £880.

I understand that the particular cleaning company are taking the biscuit with their quote. I think they are playing on the high standards of the agent to be honest and wouldn't dream of charging a regular homeowner the prices they've quoted (I mean, who charges £105 to clean windows when window cleaners do it day in/day out for £20 a house?)

I did speak to the agent yesterday and she could see where I was coming from and asked if we could meet in the middle of what I offered and what they've asked for. I still think that's a lot of money and said I'll get back to her this morning with a decision.