Agent telling me to do washing up...

PercyPigfangirl · 2023-02-22T20:29:04+00:00

Advice please. Had flat inspection today, I was not able to attend due to work however ensured flat was generally tidy. Hoovered etc. Had a few friends for dinner last night so there was some plates and cookery things by the sink for washing. I've been emailed by the agent saying they want to talk to me as concerned about the cleanliness of the flat. I asked them to be more precise and they said the amount of washing that needs doing in the kitchen. This was something I was not thinking would be any issue... Having some washing by the sink. I admit there was quite a bit due to having friends around but surely I am entitled to reasonable enjoyment of the property and having dishes to be cleaned has nothing to do with them. I would understand if it was something that could damage the property or a dirtiness issue.. but that flat was overall tidy. Don't know how to respond to them and if I've been entirely unreasonable here by not doing it?

Iam4eels · 22/02/2023 20:35

Tell them that your washing up schedule is none of their business and that dishes in the sink is not an unreasonable state of untidiness. Remind them that you have the right to quiet enjoyment of the property and that this includes washing the dishes later in the day.

Personally I would also tell them that they no longer have your permission to enter the property without you being present.

catandcoffee · 22/02/2023 20:38

Wow that's unbelievably rude of them.
They have absolutely no right to comment on your personal habits.
Do not allow them to access your home whilst you're not there again.

KindlyKanga · 22/02/2023 20:38

They may be concerned that it had been there for days when there's only one of you, which would in turn concern them about attracting rats.

I'd just assure them you had friends so there was more than usual and you wash up every day or two.

You shouldn't have to but if there was looooads of stuff and only one of you I can see why they might query it.

Allinadayswork80 · 22/02/2023 20:40

Absolutely ridiculous! If that’s their only issue then they’re being overfastidious, as a tenant you should be able to enjoy the property as your home - including choosing to wash up at the end of the day rather than in the morning! I would ask them to put in writing exactly what their issues are.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 22/02/2023 20:40

Assuming you haven’t got a ‘can’t clean/won’t clean’ style kitchen, just apologise for the slovenly behaviour of your cleaner and tell them you will be looking for a more diligent cleaner.
Then roll your eyes skyward, breath and follow@Iam4eels advice.

WhichOneOfYasHasHadAShit · 22/02/2023 20:41

CF

Onnabugeisha · 22/02/2023 20:41

I know legally you are right, but I cannot fathom why last nights dishes were not washed last night. To me, that isn’t “generally tidy.”

It sounds like the landlord feels the same way and the reality is that legally the landlord can also just send you an S21 to evict you for no reason at all.

So, it doesn’t matter that you are right, if you get into a pissing match with your landlord (vis a vis the agent), you may lose your home.

So, I would advise taking a conciliatory tone and just say it was a one off dinner party and usually all dishes are washed the same day they are dirtied.

Bryonny84 · 22/02/2023 20:41

Agent sounds like they are nit picking over nothing. My slight worry might be that they are looking for excuses to say you're a bad tenant (which clearly you're not) if the landlord is looking to raise rent etc. Stick to your guns. You've done nothing wrong.

Echinops · 22/02/2023 20:44

Do you have an inspection reminder e mail or letter from the agency? Ours actually says....
"Unfortunately some tenants do not prepare the property in a suitable condition for this visit and therefore in order to avoid additional visits we request that you do not leave dirty dishes in the sink, all washing up is put away and that all ironing and dirty washing is also tidied away. A further visit to the property may be necessary if the property is not presented in a suitable clean and tidy condition for this visit"

33goingon64 · 22/02/2023 20:47

Agents look for anything to tick you off over with a view to withholding deposits etc. When I moved out of my last rental place, I was forewarned about this and asked my tallest friend to wear her suit and look like a solicitor, taking notes as the agents went around the house looking in every cupboard etc. They were two burly blokes and they did try to suggest some things weren't up to scratch (the house was in a better state than when I moved in). I got them to say before they left that there was nothing amiss, so they couldn't shave anything off the deposit returned. Something to bear in mind - make sure you're in and ready to defend yourself.

NoSquirrels · 22/02/2023 20:48

You live alone, but you had multiple days’ worth of crockery and pans etc by the sink - just explain you had mates for dinner last night and you wash up daily every evening.

You’re obviously allowed to leave out what you want but if I were you I’d err on the side of extreme clean for a letting agent visit, so I’d have made the time. Have you never been inspected before?

jetadore · 22/02/2023 20:50

They may be concerned that it had been there for days when there's only one of you, which would in turn concern them about attracting rats.

Rats?! Rats attracted by dirty dishes? Lol

Cosyblankets · 22/02/2023 20:54

Echinops · 22/02/2023 20:44

Do you have an inspection reminder e mail or letter from the agency? Ours actually says....
"Unfortunately some tenants do not prepare the property in a suitable condition for this visit and therefore in order to avoid additional visits we request that you do not leave dirty dishes in the sink, all washing up is put away and that all ironing and dirty washing is also tidied away. A further visit to the property may be necessary if the property is not presented in a suitable clean and tidy condition for this visit"

Landlord here
I couldn't give a hoot about dishes and washing.
I look for damage to carpets walls doors that kind of thing. Stuff that makes a difference ie will need a repair
Tell them to do one

Pemba · 22/02/2023 20:56

A bit of washing up left in the sink is absolutely none of their business. Unless it was weeks' worth maybe. The point at which it matters is if it is capable of damaging the property, which this clearly wouldn't.

Some letting agents really like to throw their weight around! Probably best not to antagonise them though, so yes just give a breezy reply saying it was due to a dinner party the previous night,as a pp suggested.

Nospringchix · 22/02/2023 20:56

33goingon64 · 22/02/2023 20:47

Agents look for anything to tick you off over with a view to withholding deposits etc. When I moved out of my last rental place, I was forewarned about this and asked my tallest friend to wear her suit and look like a solicitor, taking notes as the agents went around the house looking in every cupboard etc. They were two burly blokes and they did try to suggest some things weren't up to scratch (the house was in a better state than when I moved in). I got them to say before they left that there was nothing amiss, so they couldn't shave anything off the deposit returned. Something to bear in mind - make sure you're in and ready to defend yourself.

Absolutely, agents do look for anything in order to withhold money from deposits.
On leaving our last property ( which we left immaculate) we were charged for a light bulb and a slightly broken wheel on a wheelie bin. The bin was probably like that when we moved in and we didn't notice it as it was so minor!

TangledWebOfDeception · 22/02/2023 20:57

Iam4eels · 22/02/2023 20:35

Tell them that your washing up schedule is none of their business and that dishes in the sink is not an unreasonable state of untidiness. Remind them that you have the right to quiet enjoyment of the property and that this includes washing the dishes later in the day.

Personally I would also tell them that they no longer have your permission to enter the property without you being present.

This.

It is none of their business how or when you do the washing up in your home.

Roystonv · 22/02/2023 21:01

As a retired letting agent we always said a tenant could choose to live in a property how they liked but that it must not be detrimental to the property. Unless there is more than you have said or there have been problems in the past with your care of the property or vermin then I do not think that is any of their business. However, as there is a scarcity of property to let if you want to keep them and the landlord happy you may just have to comply.

ProbablyDogNappersHunX · 22/02/2023 21:01

Letting agents are mostly thick, and mostly incompetent. Many of them also seem to enjoy a power trip.

All that is required is that you return the property at the end of the tenancy in the same condition as it was at the beginning, minus fair wear and tear. The cleanliness mid tenancy is nothing to do with them - unless you're staining the carpet or similar.

The inspection should be to check for unreported maintenance issues, and major tenancy breaches like having a pony in your lounge.

Tell them to do one, albeit politely, as you don't want S21 notice.

If you do have problems, Acorn The Tenants Union is a really useful source of support.

TangledWebOfDeception · 22/02/2023 21:06

True, be polite! Don’t want to cause any drama...but they were well out of order to mention it.

SpringofJoy · 22/02/2023 21:08

Iam4eels · 22/02/2023 20:35

Tell them that your washing up schedule is none of their business and that dishes in the sink is not an unreasonable state of untidiness. Remind them that you have the right to quiet enjoyment of the property and that this includes washing the dishes later in the day.

Personally I would also tell them that they no longer have your permission to enter the property without you being present.

Or withdraw permission for inspections full stop.

Cakeandcardio · 22/02/2023 21:11

Could you just not reply at all? Just let them and their pettiness stew. You are, of course, entitled to live as you please as long as the property isn't damaged.

HotDogsJumpingFrogsILoveTurkey · 22/02/2023 21:15

Just play along and avoid the hassle. "Dear agent. Thanks for the feedback on the dishes. I will take it on board. I'm glad you found everything else satisfactory. Yours, Percy"

Then for the next inspection, make sure the dishes are done and you're there if possible.

Really not worth making a fuss over this one.

Rellywobble · 22/02/2023 21:15

catandcoffee · 22/02/2023 20:38

Wow that's unbelievably rude of them.
They have absolutely no right to comment on your personal habits.
Do not allow them to access your home whilst you're not there again.

This !!

InelegantAndWild · 22/02/2023 21:23

I wouldn't respond. What possible response would be useful to some berk so clearly losing sight of the remit of their job? I guess they have to justify their fees given that they don't do work, as such.

If pressed, send a one line 'sorry, cleaner was on hols that week ' reply.

It's not worth getting into a pissing contest with a moron, ime.

ComeTheFckOnBridget · 22/02/2023 21:59

I cannot fathom why last nights dishes

@Onnabugeisha you cannot fathom??

Perhaps it's my extraordinary cooking, but passionate sex often follows and who wants to follow that up with marigolds and fairy liquid?