Landlord charging for a deep clean

@Mamma182838 you've received a lot of poor advice on this thread including ppl still referencing the contract when it's been made very clear by previous posters that it doesn't matter what the contract says because regardless of contract they cannot insist on professional clean legally.

You need to leave it how it was found. If it wasn't received in a professional clean level manner you do not need to leave it as such. I received a rented property once in an average at best state, so no, not everyone does get a clean at the end of tenancy nor does the landlord necessarily hand it over professionally cleaned.

If it is genuinely a few items, I'd offer to go round and sort. If they don't let you, then let them prove to the dps what deductions it'll cost. If it is a few of things like tops of doors, I imagine they'll find it's worth less than the cost of a whole house being professionally cleaned.

Dispute it. You don’t need to do quotes. Lots of landlords for scruffy places like you describe dint bother to do the clean but try and charge the tenants anyway.

if he/she has just gone in themselves and wiped down what you’ve missed they can’t charge you for that. They’d need to show an invoice. And I bet they haven’t bothered and just got new tenants in asap.

If dps don’t see evidence (from landlord) that it was spotless when you moved in they won’t allow them to charge a clean.

chances are you’ll get your money back k in full. Lots of landlords just chance their arm.

How would you recommend we dispute it? Do we need to provide lots of evidence, like getting quotes of the cost to wipe down the specific surfaces?

No you don't, your landlord would have to prove it was necessary. You just dispute it.

What did the contract say?

You could make that argument about the inventory photos and how the deposit scheme will make any judgements though

It's relevant because you continue to avoid the question and refuse to answer, just as you have above. The only reason for that I can see is because you know it was probably left pretty grubby and don't want to admit it.

Did you see the property post clean to check it was properly clean; yes or no? You already know that you can't legally be forced to pay for deep cleaning, because multiple posters have told you this.

You have to do nothing.
Request the full amount back via the TDS today. That will start the 30 day clock.

The landlord will have to proving cleaning costs and why they are required.

I would place very good money on the TDS giving the landlord costs significantly less then what the claim.

i own a deep cleaning company: It will be re inspected anyway so no harm in asking, that way you can correct any issues on site.

If not, take plenty up close photographs and a video of the full house after cleaning.

You could also get a price from a cleaning company and compare it to the landlord’s cleaning charge.

What was missed? Multiple people have asked, but you haven’t said. The number and severity of these will impact things.

And that will show dust etc ? No

come on op

Why is it relevant?

Because you are asking our opinions on whether your landlord is being fair to insist on a deep clean. You are being so vague about what was missed. It's like trying to get answers out of a politician.

@Mamma182838 - just get a couple of quotes for end of tenancy cleaning. I was surprised how reasonable these were - compared to what the landlord - via his letting agents - is likely to charge you.

And I agree with @HavingYouTubeDoesntMakeYouAFilmmaker. It’s up to the Landlord to prove that the cleaning was inadequate.

So much terrible advice on this thread.

1. check your tenancy agreement for the relevant clause to see what you actually need to do. Professional standard? Same state? No cleaning clause?
2. wait until landlord makes a claim against your deposit, then dispute it
3. it is up to the LL to prove the ‘loss’ ie show before & after pics to prove it is dirtier than when you moved in. If they can’t, no deposit awarded. If they can, the DPS will determine a fair amount of money

in practical terms, stop engaging with the LL and request the return of your deposit. That kick starts the process and you should get an email from the DPS telling you the LL wants to deduct £X and do you agree. Refuse and then let the system there to protect you do its job.

DO NOT agree a side deal - the DPS is stacked in favour of the tenant.

If it’s genuinely things like the tops of doors, I would dispute it. I let my family home out while abroad and we disputed the state of the house when we returned but, for example, the oven hadn’t been cleaned (at all), there was a layer of grease on the kitchen cupboards and there was brown gunge on the carpets…

how can you agree or not? You didn’t see it post clean

Ok so op you did NOT see the property post clean

and you describe your husband as a “generally” ok cleaner

I’ve asked 3x
tumbleweed
answer in Itself

Did you see the property after the cleaning had been done? If you're pushed for time, a yes or a no would be ample just so everybody's clear.

You really don’t want to clarify whether you actually saw the property post your “generally” decent DH’s cleaning

Did you actually see it post clean?