Is anyone a bit of an expert on deposit protection scheme damage, etc.?

[titself]

Hello, we have just moved out of a large, four storey house after a 3 year tenancy.

We did a big clean (cleaner worked for 11 hours).

They have just billed me for a deep clean including the outside of the windows because they say it wasn't clean enough. It is a big house so maybe 11 hours wasn't enough. They want to deduct 450 from our deposit.

They house wasn't very clean when we moved in but that isn't stated in the check-in report.

Is this fair? Do we have to pay to have the house immaculately clean so they can show it to the new buyers? I will pay if this is how it works, but just would like to know where I stand legally.

Thanks in advance

Did you have a window cleaner do the windows? This would have cost £50 max. I have one do my large 5 bed outside and inside for £75 3 times a year.
Do you have receipts from the cleaner? This will really help your case. What does the check in inventory say re state if cleaning? Does it say professionally cleaned?

First thing to do is tell them you disagree as you had it professionally cleaned and so you are logging a dispute.

You need to see what it says in your tenancy agreement.

Also, you say it wasn't clean when you moved in but no mention on check in. Did you not edit it yourself as you have 7dsys to do so? What does it actually say about the condition? Is it the carpets they're billing for? Did you have them cleaned?

We have just moved and I haven't managed to locate the check-in agreement. I've asked them to send it to me - the company that did it has folded and their work taken on by another company.

We didn't really bother much about the cleanliness when we moved in - we're not really the sort to run that tight a ship I'm afraid. I remember there were no lightbulbs at all and we found out that we were on the same utilities as our downstairs neighbour in the basement flat and had to bill him for his percentage usage!

We don't have a tenancy agreement, it wasn't renewed after the first year. We were there over three years.

I'm only cross because we allowed about 15 viewings a week when they were selling even though we didn't have to, and dealt with all the maintenance. I thought we had good will and didn't expect this.

There is one badly damaged carpet (by an office chair). They have said they will wait and see what the buyer says and if they don't want them to replace the carpets prior to exchange then they won't bill us 'for that or any of the other damage', which sounds both generous and ominous.

I got the windows cleaned monthly for 25 quid - I tried to get it done before we moved out but ran out of time.

You don't need to see the tenancy agreement you need to lodge a dispute with the tenancy deposit team- provide pictures of the state when you moved out and copy of the cleaners invoice/ receipt. You have a strong case. They will never award £450 for cleaning even if your cleaner did a crap job.

The check in inventory should be held with the agent. His else can they do the check out? What did they say at check out? Did they mention an issue then? We rented a few years ago when we moved to a new area and it took me about 2hours to wLk around the house checking their descriptions against what I could actually see. I amended lots inc cracked tiles in the bathroom and my own pictures of food stuck in the oven when they stated it had been prof cleaned.

What are they actually claiming for? Windows? Carpets?

You lodge a dispute. If they're selling the house they can't claim for dirty windows unless the buyers have told them they'll only proceed if he has the windows cleaned. I very very much doubt that to be the case. They can only claim if it will cost them money so selling with dirty windows doesn't cost them money.

Lodge a dispute and don't don't don't back down. We had a horrendous situation, flooding and destruction. They wanted our whole deposit. It took 3 years of them refusing adjudication but we eventually got 80% back. Keep every shred of evidence.

raise a dispute. This kind of piss-take is why deposit protection is there.

I have found the check in report. It describes dust etc. bulbs missing, staining. It's a big old georgian house. The basement (which included a bedroom and ensuite) flooded twice. I can't get back in the house now though, as I've handed back my keys.

They have said 'wait and see what the buyers say on Saturday regarding the rest of the damage' but can I agree to the cleaning fee. They are making me really cross, since we were ace tenants and did their job for them.

I don't want to refute the cleaning fee and go to war over the rest of the 'damage' if you see what I mean. Our deposit is 3.5k.

Ok I'd wait until after sat, see what they say then say you wNt yo dispute . They need to give you a breakdown if what the £450 is required for. It can't be a random number. You need to see a breakdown proforma invoice in order to decide whether you will dispute or not. Windows are not £450. A bit of damage to a carpet isn't £450 either. Have they given you a breakdown?

In the nicest possible way I think you've bed very naive here. You should have gone around and made notes on the check in inventory. You have 7days to hand it in and then they must return a copy to you which you use as your evidence when they try and rip you off at the end of the tenancy.

They have provided me with a quote for the cleaning, broken down, etc.

The damaged carpet was probably quite old, older than 5 years (it was that blasted hessian stuff). But it was shredded through to the floorboards by an office chair, so not usual wear and tear. Does that matter?

Conniebaby so what do I say now? They want me to agree to the cleaning before they go ahead? I have emailed asking if they have a copy of the check-in report.

It is a very big house though. I wouldn't have minded paying the 450 to get it professionally cleaned, but I resent paying the cleaner then getting hit for a whole deep clean.

Conniebaby I know, we just don't ever really do stuff like that. I am relaxed though - we don't need the deposit right now, so if they want a fight I'm up for it.

I agree with what callmenancy has said - some landlords are under the impression that houses should be left as though no one has ever lived in them, but this is not true, you are allowed reasonable wear and tear and you should have a good case. Tell them you don't agree as the house was professionally cleaned and next steps will be through the deposit protection company you used.

Email them today saying you disagree that the house needs cleaning again as you've had it professionally cleaned before leaving. Say you have receipts to prove it. (I assume you got a receipt)

They must have had the check in report to do the check out as they need to prove the entry condition.

In the email, ask for a copy of their copy of the check in that they used for check out. Are you saying you never received a copy of this?

Yes, make it clear that you will be contacting the tenancy deposit scheme to lodge a complaint. You should have received a certificate proving it was lodged just after you moved in. Contacts for raising dispute are on there.

Tell them to raise the issue with the deposit scheme holding company. You presumably don't have access to your deposit until they release it to you. Therefore you can't decide how much (if any) is to be given to the LL.

Fwiw your LL/ agent sound like chancers. What on earth has it got to do with the buyer? You've left and returned the keys. Don't give them any money! Contact the private rented housing panel.

it is nothing to do with the buyers!

re the carpet: you did damage it, the landlord gets compensation pro-rated for the area damaged and the age of the carpet. Call it £20 at most.

dispute everything.