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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Agent telling me to do washing up...

299 replies

PercyPigfangirl · 22/02/2023 20:29

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?

OP posts:
SchoolTripDrama · 23/02/2023 11:38

@saraclara Some landlords are chill

*chilled. There, fixed that for you :)

BodyShapeWoes · 23/02/2023 11:39

My rented house is an absolute mess at the moment…

Im a week behind on the washing, the kids have used nearly every cup, plate, dish, piece of cutlery in the house this morning alone, I have not done the washing up yet, I need to vacuum and move the post from the steps on the hallways, you can’t walk across my daughters room

However it’s half term and by Saturday the entire place will be spotless and completely back to order..as I have a day off to clean up after them..

Yesterday I had the electrician out to fix the shower which I have been waiting to be done for a month I apologised about the mess and he was like 🤷‍♀️ it’s your home I don’t care however I was only given an hours notice of him turning up!

Nicely tell them to jog on

SchoolTripDrama · 23/02/2023 11:43

@Onnabugeisha Nope, tenants CANNOT be evicted during a tenancy for no reason at all. Please don't spread incorrect information. They can only be asked to leave for no fault in 2 very distinct circumstances-

  1. After the current tenancy term has ended (most are 12 months and then are renewed if the Landlord agrees)
  2. The Landlord is selling the property. However they cannot just say they are and then re-let it as they can be taken to court and get into a LOT of trouble if they do this

Any other circumstances, the Landlord has to PROVE the tenant has done wrong and it has to go to court if the tenant refuses to go.

IndyAgent · 23/02/2023 11:44

People who say "oooh you should wash up before an inspection", can I ask?if you have a mortgage and building insurance, and they wanted to inspect every 12 weeks as they have a charge over/insurable interest etc in your property, would you leave your property immaculate and make sure your washing up is done every singe time they insist on comimg?

Or would you think, FFS I pay my mortgage on time each month and if they insist on coming to check things like slates on roof, they can fuck off telling me to wash my dishes!! I live here and pay to do so,
I'm a responsible adult, would report/deal with any maintenance, this is my home!

Why do you expect tenants to be OK with being treated so much more unfairly?

Copperoliverbear · 23/02/2023 11:45

This reply has been deleted

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GoldenCupidon · 23/02/2023 11:45

I've been a landlord and agent and tenant. No this isn't any of their business but maybe you got someone who's a bit new and keen or just a bit of a PITA.

I'd write a short polite response along these lines: "Dear X, thanks for your message about your recent inspection. I am concerned that you think the flat is not being kept properly clean. I'm aware that there were a number of dishes in the kitchen as I had hosted a small celebration the evening before and due to my work schedule was unable to wash up until the following day, after the inspection. However as I'm sure you understand (you may even have done the same on occasion) this is a rare occurrence and will not do any damage to the property, which I hope you'll agree is generally being well looked after. What other concerns did you have about the flat? Many thanks, OP"

That's briefly explaining the situation (i.e. that it was a many people/one night situation and not a one person not washing up all week situation) and hopefully allaying any concerns, while asking them to justify their fusspottiness.

You can't ban them from entering the flat without your presence as long as they give sufficient notice, btw, if you have the usual tenancy agreement. I know you're not suggesting it but some others are!

GoldenCupidon · 23/02/2023 11:50

Oh and BTW I have always been told - and told others - you DO NOT need to clean the house from top to bottom for an inspection. The inspection is to look for any damage to the property, check for signs of things that are not allowed e.g. smoking or pets, sometimes to check whether too many people have been living at the property which can get the landlord into trouble, and see whether it looks like the property is generally being taken care of. So if the kitchen was full of mouldy food for example (actually mouldy, not sitting there overnight!) or the whole flat was filthy dirty e.g. smears on the walls, dirty packaging or clothes all over the floors - things that could damage the place basically if that went on for months or years - those things are cause for concern.

xogossipgirlxo · 23/02/2023 11:50

Fuck me. Dishes in the sink have nothing to do with the state of property. I think he/she got carried away. What did you reply, OP?

katseyes7 · 23/02/2023 11:52

Years ago, l'd been in the rented place for three months. Agent came out to do an inspection.
I got feedback there was 'a lot of clutter'.
There wasn't 'clutter'. There was stuff in boxes that l hadn't unpacked as there was no storage, and I'd just had to clear my mother's house after she'd died.
Which they were well aware of.
The house was clean, the boxes were in one bedroom.
I was furious. The 'agent' who came out looked about twenty and was very patronising and rude. I was in my late 50s at the time.
I didn't stay there long. And when l left, they took £50 off my deposit for 'removing grass cuttings left on the back lawn'.
The person who cut the grass was sent by them.
I'm sure some of them are on a bit of a power trip. I've rented (various properties) for nearly eleven years and never been told there's a problem before or since.
I don't think mine would even bother about dishes in the kitchen sink.

HurryShadow · 23/02/2023 11:52

My response would be something along the lines of:

"I am glad you have confirmed there is nothing of any major note that needs repairing or fixing. I am, however, upset by your suggestion that the "cleanliness" of my home is not acceptable.

I had explained (unnecessarily I might add) that I'd had friends around the night before your inspection and, as such, I hadn't had time to attend to the washing up yet.

If you can point to a clause in my contract where it specifies that washing up must be done the minute it is dirty, I would be grateful, otherwise I take great offense to your accusation that the "general cleanliness" of the property is of concern as a result of one evening's washing up."

LindorDoubleChoc · 23/02/2023 11:53

This is the best thread I've read for a while. I am lolling at the judgement! (sorry OP, I know it wasn't nice to get a ticking off from that jobsworth).

LookItsMeAgain · 23/02/2023 11:58

PMSL at "In the latest iteration of "Literally Anything Can Be News in 2023" you've made it into the Mirror" @ProbablyDogNappersHunX .

I don't know why but your comment tickled me.

In other breaking news - "Woman eats food with friends and doesn't mind that it's got calories in it!"

ShirleyPhallus · 23/02/2023 12:02

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

🤣🤣I have no idea what the previous poster said but no way would you knock them out over anything. MNers are so dramatic

Onnabugeisha · 23/02/2023 12:05

SchoolTripDrama · 23/02/2023 11:43

@Onnabugeisha Nope, tenants CANNOT be evicted during a tenancy for no reason at all. Please don't spread incorrect information. They can only be asked to leave for no fault in 2 very distinct circumstances-

  1. After the current tenancy term has ended (most are 12 months and then are renewed if the Landlord agrees)
  2. The Landlord is selling the property. However they cannot just say they are and then re-let it as they can be taken to court and get into a LOT of trouble if they do this

Any other circumstances, the Landlord has to PROVE the tenant has done wrong and it has to go to court if the tenant refuses to go.

It’s not incorrect information at all. I suppose you’ve never heard of revenge evictions and are bizarrely claiming they do not exist.

You’re wrong btw. A valid & legal S21 can be served without specifying any reason whatsoever. The Landlord is notifying they wish to retake possession of the property. The landlord doesn’t have to be selling to issue a S21.

And a S21 can be served anytime 6months after initial move in for a rolling tenancy, or 60days prior to the end of a fixed term tenancy (typically 1yr), or per any break clause in the tenancy agreement.

A S21 gives a tenant a minimum of 60days to vacate the property.

TimeforacuppaT · 23/02/2023 12:05

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 is exactly what you should say ^^

IndyAgent · 23/02/2023 12:06

A floppy head

Grin

Please let the Mirror quote that! "Poster on Mumsnet threatens to give another poster a floppy head in a heated debate over washing up"

xogossipgirlxo · 23/02/2023 12:07

HurryShadow · 23/02/2023 11:52

My response would be something along the lines of:

"I am glad you have confirmed there is nothing of any major note that needs repairing or fixing. I am, however, upset by your suggestion that the "cleanliness" of my home is not acceptable.

I had explained (unnecessarily I might add) that I'd had friends around the night before your inspection and, as such, I hadn't had time to attend to the washing up yet.

If you can point to a clause in my contract where it specifies that washing up must be done the minute it is dirty, I would be grateful, otherwise I take great offense to your accusation that the "general cleanliness" of the property is of concern as a result of one evening's washing up."

Oooh, I like this response, it's good.

Copperoliverbear · 23/02/2023 12:08

@IndyAgent well it really annoys me these people who be flash behind a keyboard, would not dare say it to your face but you are right, she is not worth wasting my time on

BellePeppa · 23/02/2023 12:09

After having a similar experience to the OP I immediately started to look for another rental. I was very lucky to find a better property and was amazed to find the owners didn’t do inspections. I spent eighteen happy months there before buying my own property but was so appreciative of the landlords (they inherited it from their parents) who never once bothered us. I understand that can’t be the normal procedure but I do think inspections should be carried out with the mindset that it is humans who are living there and not some kind of underclass species who are treated as a troublesome burden.

Applesandcarrots · 23/02/2023 12:13

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.

This. If there is only 1 or 2 people but lots of waahing up hanging about, it may look like something is starting up about keeping flat clean and safe from pests.

I wouldn't take it personally. I would just say that is not standard as I had people over and that would be it.

ScribblingPixie · 23/02/2023 12:30

I would just email back & say that as you'd had a dinner party the previous evening there was an unusual amount of washing-up, and that it shouldn't concern them if all else was in place. However, you will require any future inspections to take place at a time that works for you and allows you to be present so that you can make sure all is satisfactory.

Goldenbear · 23/02/2023 12:40

IndyAgent, this exactly what I thought when reading this, I mean I hated the pressure of tidying up when we were trying to sell a house let alone these dystopian inspections- pretending to live a spotless life and I am one of those people that really wants to press the button when I'm told not to so I did say to DH that what harm can it do to see a family of 4 actually 'lives' in quite a small home, I'm not going to do as the EA tells us and fuss around every Saturday morning at 8.30, trying to get my 15 year old son to get up and out for 10 took most of that time! However, my DH agreed with them and told me to take the kids out whilst he polished!

14 years ago when we were renting a house, my eldest was a non sleeping toddler and in all honesty I didn't really want to spend those precious years cleaning the oven. When it came to the inspection to return the deposit they tried to claim a new oven was needed, new lino and basically pin a whole refurbishment on us. We weren't well off at the time and they took half the deposit for a kitchen that was a hovel to begin with. Horrible way for tenants to live!

kirinm · 23/02/2023 13:13

Rats can enter buildings because of washing up? Okay.

MarkWithaC · 23/02/2023 13:17

xogossipgirlxo · 23/02/2023 12:07

Oooh, I like this response, it's good.

Show quote history

Too emotional. I'd not put in 'offence' or 'upset' or anything like that.

'Thank you for confirming there is nothing that needs repairing or fixing.

On the washing up, please can you point me to the clause in my contract regarding timing of washing up/other housework.

Thank you.'