Private rental carpet question

[knittedbreast]

Just got a letter from my letting agent as we are moving out.

They say I have to get the carpets professionally cleaned and they need to see a receipt to prove it.

Do I really have to?

Thanks

[HerScaryness]

If there is no inventory at the beginning, or if it is not detailed enough, doesn't relate to the specific tenancy being checked out, it is impossible to establish the exact condition at the outset of the tenancy.

If you are unable to establish a benchmark to measure against, there can be no comparison.

My previous LL checked me in herself with an inventory that related not to me, not to the previous tenant, but the one before that. She had simply written on it and scribbled stuff and photocopied it. It was 4 years old by the time I checked in.

When I left she tried to take over £450 from my deposit. it went to TDS and they kicked it ALL out due to the inability of the LL to establish condition.

I have since become an inventory clerk myself. Sometimes I come across 'inventories' prepared by the LL. 2 pages worth for a 3bed property? Basically as long as the tenants have not taken walls down, or sawn doors in half, burnt the kitchen for firewood, their deposit is pretty much safe.

My job when checking tenants out is to compare the original inventory with the condition of the property in front of me, and judging on the number of occupants, the ages and the length of the tenancy.

If I can not know for sure what condition it was to start with, how can I say with complete confidence that this was due to the negligence/neglect of the tenant?

The more detailed the inventory, the more accurate it is. The more accurate, the easier it is for ALL to see the difference between before and after.

We do have many tenants who DO genuinely improve the condition of the property, through cleaning what wasn't marked as clean when they moved in, or who repaint walls during the tenancy, some sort out the garden, replace carpets. Some go mad and spend tons on redecorating.

[HerScaryness]

Oh yes, and if you vacate the property before the official check out and the LL goes in before the check out report is done, the check out condition is void. It's a bit like a crime scene. The check out must be done before anyone enters the house, or any damage found could have been caused by this 3rd party and not the tenant.

[holidaysoon]

her scary was it experience that partly inspired you to become a check out person lol

I have always had all my deposits returned (touch wood) except recently when I had 81p deducted!!!
I had overpaid the rent (paid to end of month moved on anniv of moving in which was not the end of the month but the landlord had specifically stipulated that my direct debits had to be up to the end of the month because I suspect his finances didn't add up) anyway he then did some dodgy calculation based on number of days and 31/30 day months and demended 81p from my deposit.

i really think the DPS should have thrown it out/demanded a £10 processing fee off the landlord

knowing him I suspect he had done the calculation that way on purpose I just felt lucky to get out I had been warned by the previous tennants that he tried to grab all their deposit

[witchyhills]

Groupon have a special offer, end of tenancy cleaning for £32, usually 130
If that helps

[HerScaryness]

I posted on here and in legal matters, one lovely MNer advised me. Turns out she lives 7 miles away, and works in Property Management.

She gave me fab advice, helped me prepare my statutory declaration letter, and put in a word with the Letting Agent, which I am sure helped get me into this lovely house. She then offered me a bit of work typing with a view to training up to be a clerk.

The rest is history!

MN Changed My Life!

[holidaysoon]

wow her scary
was that response to my silly question earlier
how fab
bought a real smile to my face