Landlord charging for a deep clean

[Mamma182838]

We moved out of rental. DH cleaned the house after we left and generally he does a good job but he missed a handful of specific things that were picked up in the check.

Landlord wants to charge for a full deep clean. Is that fair? How do we dispute it? Do we approach a cleaning agency and say x, y, z needs to be cleaned, how much would this. be, and go back to the landlord with the quote, or cleaners not work this way?

Dont clean anywhere that you arent given evidence was clean before you arrived. But of course that means you need your own photos and videos of when you arrived. So if you don't have pictures showing the tops of the cupboards Clean, don't clean them yourself. Especially if they are really dirty.

No. The landlord needs to prove his loss. The only thing you need to prove is the condition of the property when you moved in if you are suggesting that some of what’s being claimed for predated you or is fair wear and tear.

I helped my son with this - it went to an adjudication by the deposit scheme and he ended up paying less than £100 for a few bits and pieces he’d missed not the £600 odd the landlord was requesting for a full professional clean.

The only options you have are either ask the landlord for access so to go back and gut it yourself (ask for the inspection to be done whilst you’re still there) or get someone in to do it for you. Ask landlord for a list of specific areas needing cleaned.

or

allow the landlord to organise a clean and take the money from your deposit

do you have a check in inventory?
what was the state when you moved in?

challenge it with the deposit scheme. the ll needs to provide evidence of the state of the place and that the cleaning actually took place. and even if it did they can't deduct the whole bill if, for example, only the kitchen floor was not sparkling.

Thanks wish we’d used your list! Yes we missed a couple of things off it. But everything else was cleaned to a high standard.

ask the landlord for access so to go back and gut it yourself (ask for the inspection to be done whilst you’re still there)

Is this a realistic ask? The EA would have to send someone out so it’s a loss of time for them.

If you missed stuff off that list (which is pretty basic!) then I’d say a deep clean sounds fair. If you think the cost is too high then get some quotes and negotiate with the landlord, if that doesn’t work dispute it on the tenancy deposit service.

Did you actually see it post clean?

I guess I feel like DH put in the hard work to scrubbing floors, bathrooms, white goods etc, and I feel bad it’s all for nothing because he missed the tops of doors which would take a minute to wipe down.

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

I’m not disputing that he missed stuff, I’m asking whether we need to dispute a complete deep clean rather than a specific targeted clean and whether it’s possible to do one or whether we can request to do it ourselves.

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.

I’ve asked 3x
tumbleweed
answer in Itself

Why is it relevant? I have the inventory check. I agree with some of it but not all of it.

Ok so op you did NOT see the property post clean

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

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

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…

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.

@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.

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.

There are photos.

And that will show dust etc ? No

come on op

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

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.

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.