tenancy deposit - can they withold for professional oven clean?

special_k83

I moved out of my rented property about 4 weeks ago. The deposit was quite high, 6 weeks rent and I still have not received it. I have been calling several times a week to chase this up. At first I was told "there were no major problems" but I'd have to speak to the guy who did the inspection. I got hold of him today and was told they would be deducting money for a professional oven clean. I cleaned the oven, I cleaned the house from top to bottom but obviously I cannot do a professional oven clean myself. Can they deduct money for this or can I fight them on it?

Thanks in advance

Lavendyr

Did the inventory state it had been professionally cleaned before you moved in? If so, while they can't require you to pay to have it cleaned, they can require you to have it cleaned to a 'professional' standard - and often it is easiest just to get someone to do it so you can show them the receipts to prove you had it professionally cleaned. But they can only require you to clean to the level stated on the inventory.

mlz1413

agree with lavendyr but will add were photos taken at the beginning of tenancy? do they have photo of oven when you left - hence proving it needed a professional clean?

If it was new when you moved in and the tenancy didn't state it had to be professional cleaned then as long as you can prove it was clean (can you go back with agent and take photos?) then you have a case.

Some LL want it professionally cleaned so that there is no dispute at the end of tenancy, but it needs to be stated up front.

Paul_Herring

Lavendyr wrote: »

they can require you to have it cleaned to a 'professional' standard

'Wear and tear' doesn't cover ovens then?

poppysarah

Burnt on grease is not wear and tear. It's dirty! You need to regular clean ovens and it's a pita.


I must look into how much it costs round here as my year old oven isn't quite spotless. (Manchester area if any one has any suggestions)

headcoat

If they do get it professionally cleaned tell them you want to see receipts from the company that does it. I always take photos of everything when I move and out of a property.

Paul_Herring

poppysarah wrote:

Burnt on grease is not wear and tear. It's dirty!

And there's a difference between 'cleaned' and 'professionally cleaned' - the OP indicated that they had cleaned the oven, amongst other things.

olly300

OP if your cleaning is not up to scratch then the landlord can get items cleaned again at your expense.

Next time the contract mentions "professional standard" either employ a cleaner and get receipts, or get a friend/family member who runs a cleaning business to supervise.

special_k83

I've had a look at the inventory again and it did say it was professionally cleaned so I guess I didn't do a good enough job for them

But now, they are trying to charge me for someone picking out weeds between the paving stones!! Definitely NOT on the inventory

I wish I had taken pictures though, it was my first rental and I really didn't know a lot of what I know now.

poppy10_2

special_k83 wrote: »

I wish I had taken pictures though, it was my first rental and I really didn't know a lot of what I know now.

It's up to them to prove the condition of the property when you moved in via the inventory - if it doesn't mention anything about the condition of the paving stones then they can't charge you for clearing them up.

Lavendyr

Paul_Herring wrote: »

And there's a difference between 'cleaned' and 'professionally cleaned' - the OP indicated that they had cleaned the oven, amongst other things.

There is also a difference between "professionally cleaned" and "cleaned to a professional standard". It is easier to prove that you have "cleaned to a professional standard" if you have had a professional cleaner do it and have the receipt to prove it.

OP, I would ask them to get three quotes for the oven cleaning and use the cheapest - they must not take undue amounts of money out of the deposit. Regarding the weeds between paving stones, if the conditin of the paving slabs was not in the inventory they are skating on thin ice!