Dirty rental

[Olivebrach]

Just got the keys to our new rented house and im massively underwhelmed.

Maybe i didnt pay enough attention when looking around it but we liked the space and garden and really wanted to move.

Its just really dirty, which obviously can be cleaned, but also the decorating and carpets are really worn and tired.

I dont know i guess i just kinda expected the landlord to do it up a bit as they said they had had a long term tennant in?

Id never expect a landlord to paint and refresh ect while im in a property but surely after they should?

Not sure what im asking just lookin for advice weather i should say something to the estate agent or just put up with it, maybe even decorate a bit ourselves. We will obviously do a little bit but feels wasteful investing into a rented house.

Any advice? AIBU for being a bit gutted?

You need to record the current condition of the property, take date stamped photos etc. Is there an inventory? Does your lease require you to have it cleaned afterwards or hand back as is?

Unless it's deteriorated significantly since you viewed it I think YABU, it's up to you to have a good look before you take out the tenancy.

As you say the dirt can be cleaned, so that's the obvious thing to do first. After that, open discussions with the landlord about redecorating? Or failing that, start looking for somewhere more to your liking, and let the bad experience sharpen your appreciation of this sort of thing.

Take photos now and go back to the agent and tell them it’s really dirty and you need them to get it cleaned. It wouldn’t surprise me if they charged the last tenant for a clean but haven’t had it done either!

First - take lots of photos of the condition now before you do anything. Make sure you mark on any inventory you are given if you disagree with anything stated about the condition. If you don't receive an inventory make a note of that somewhere - in England and Wales if there is no inventory the LL has nothing to rely on if they try to say you've damaged things beyond normal wear and tear and they can't make deductions from your deposit.

Ring the agents or LL and request that the place is properly cleaned before you unpack. Ask them what they are going to do about the state of the decor. It's all very well them saying you can decorate but if it's a private rental, why should you pay for paint and use your time, etc.?

Thanks for the replies.

There was furniture in when we viewed so i think it probably hid some of the wear tbh.

We have a inventory and yes i disagree with some of it. Carpet that is in 'reasonable condition' which looks to me very worn and coming away at parts.

I will take photos and go back to him.

Tempted to ask for a deep clean but feel vunerable in rented! Dont wanna seem awkward.

But i will ask about the state it needs to be in when I leave. Why is it that they always demand it spotless then most placed ive moved in i always have to clean it!!

Don't ask what state they want it in when you move out: the landlord isn't entitled to betterment and you are under no obligation to leave it cleaner than when you moved in unless they have it cleaned for you now.

Make it clear that the carpets are worn, coming away, etc and submit photos when you return the inventory.

You've just moved in - this is the time to assert yourselves and show you won't be mucked around. I would tell them it is dirty, with specifics and ask what they suggest to put it right. Preferably do this in writing or if you have a conversation, follow it up in writing to confirm the outcome.

Thank you for the advice.

Should i be asking for the carpets to be cleaned?

What is the acceptable standard..? yetanotheruser what do you think the standards on cleanliness shoupr be?

You are not being awkward.

Any decent landlord will ensure a property is at very least deep cleaned between tenants. Most landlords would redecorate and re-carpet after a long term tenant.

You should query the inventory, otherwise you risk being charged for items when you move out.

I'd ask either the agent or the LL to meet you at the property and take a look at what you are talking about tbh or Facetime them if you can if they won't do that. Much easier to point things out in person. Cleaning a carpet that needs replacing won't help, but it will improve them if they are dirty. Ask them to have it properly cleaned, including the curtains.

Carpets, not curtains!

I would ensure you get the true state of the house documented and ensure that in the contract you will leave it as you found it, ie no deep clean and no cleaning carpets. Then you can pay yourself to have that done now instead of at end of contract.

I’ve had this before. I called the agent and told them to get a professional clean done, replaced the stained mattresses and that we wouldn’t be paying the first week’s rent as we couldn’t move in. They did so without hesitation as our contract dictated it would be professionally cleaned when we moved in, and that we were responsible for paying for the clean at move out. I think the landlord was trying to chance it by taking the cash from the previous tenants for a clean and pocketing the money as he turned out to be a sleazy bastard who we had to take to the TDS to get our deposit back.

Hey. I complained to the estate agent about the carpets and asked if they were going to be cleaned.. i got pied off really, they said they wouldnt really do a deep clean on the carpets and reccomended shake n vac

Its frustrating as its clear that the old tenant smoked in the house so obviously that kinda thing lingers in the carpet.

We paid for them to be cleaned and also have cleaned the place ourselves. I have sent an email expressing my disapointment and also will be very clear that we will not deep clean when we move out.

Its frustrating as i thought they would have painted too or atleast touched up but no.

Ive drew the line at cleaning the oven though and they said if the landlord couldnt do it (yday) they would have to get a proffesional clean.

Be very clear in writing and with pictures the state of the property. I didn't do this because I loved the house so much and didn't want to be seen as a nuisance. After living there seven years where no decoration was done, the landlord tried to charge me for decorating, a new floor, new carpets and even new kitchen cabinets! They didn't get away with it but it was stressful and there were solicitors letters as she thought she could bully me into letting her keep the deposit. Protect yourself.