Professional clean

[nemno]

If a rental contract stipulates the property must be professionally cleaned on termination does using a relative's private full time housekeeper to do the job qualify?

Could they give you an invoice?

Incidentally, is there a check in/inventory from when you moved in?

Thank you for replying.

Yes a receipt has been provided but it is not be adequate.

The check out inspection passed the cleaning, it is the new tenants demanding proof (there was dust on one lampshade and some limescale at back of one tap). Agency are now asking for a company letter-headed receipt from a proper company or will withhold £175 from deposit.

I was just wondering what MN might think 'professionally cleaned' would mean, it's not really relevant as we have to accept and negotiate with the agency's demand.

Can you send a professional cleaner in to do the bits that were missed say an hour maybe £15 plus vat and that will cover you?

I have a similar agreement an tenants often argue they will do it themselves I agree as long as they pay a contract cleaner to do the bits they missed. Everyone happy.

Yes, we're trying to get them to agree to that.

I would assume professionally cleaned meant cleaned by someone who cleans property professionally, ie it is their job.

Hopefully the deposit is held in a scheme?

It is sorted out now. The contract was too unspecific for the agency to try very hard to force the issue and they just accepted it had been cleaned ok. Thanks for your input.

Hi, great that you have this sorted. For future reference, this is quite an interesting document:

www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/reports/unfair_contract_terms/oft356.pdf

See point 4.8 'excessive cleaning charges' on page 50!