End of tenancy cleaning standard?

[Onaladder]

Hi we are in a rental property which is being sold and the new buyers visited multiple times with various decorator/builder etc as they plan to redecorate (repaint, recarpet, take out built in wardrobes etc)

We are very clean tenants generally, we just don't have much stuff and don't do much at home other than cook / watch TV, no guests whatsoever, and the flat is in a great state (we also have every week cleaning lady come in)

Long story short, we did book an end of tenancy cleaning but the letting agents have sent us 5 emails double checking (1) whether we booked one (2) if we can confirm we will clean the property and leave it in an impeccable state (3) they can do it if we pay 300ish cleaning fees etc

I am frankly so sick of this and now do not want to clean the property (we will do it bc we booked already)

My question is - the property will be redecorated and our impeccable cleaning will go to waste to a certain extent, what's the expectation here generally and in reality for tenants when the property has been sold and will be redecorated before the new buyer moves in? e.g., Do we need to wipe all the wall to white clean? dust free all the ceilings and windows?

We are just worried bc we know the landlady already took 250-300 off the previous tenant when he said he had paid for end of tenancy....

You need to leave it cleaned to the same standard as it was when you moved in. Does your check in inventory state it was cleaned to a professional standard?

If it does, I'd advise getting a professional company in. It's horribly expensive but I know people who have spent days cleaning and still had things knocked off their deposit because they don't have the skills or products that professionals do. Some companies offer a guarantee where they'll come back if your landlord isn't happy with the standard.

My most recent rental was cleaned to a "good domestic standard" and I cleaned it myself on moving out. I did the best I could but didn't deep clean ovens or carpets etc. I also moved because the landlord sold and I think they were more flexible because of that, but if you know your landlady has withheld deposit before then I'd be more wary.

It might be worth considering how much you've been quoted for an end of tenancy clean vs. the £300 your agents mentioned? If there's not too much of a difference, you could chance it and just clean it yourself. It's a bit more of a risk but there's a chance the landlady is more lenient given the property has sold and you don't have to pay.

Tenancy agreements are now not allowed to specify that cleaning is carried out by a professional company.

You are perfectly entitled to clean it yourself.

You should have an inventory and it should state the condition of cleanliness when you took possession. You should be returning it in the same state. Impeccable is not reasonable. Cleaned to a good standard is. Some people find it easier to use a cleaner and others prefer not to.

It could be expected that curtains are clean and carpets cleaned….if those things were new or had been properly cleaned before you moved in.

You can enquire as to whether they can provide you with another copy of the condition of property from the move-in point, and also ask the agent about the standards expected, as well as looking in your tenancy agreement.

Remmber your deposit should have been placed in approved scheme. The LL has to notify you if they wish to keep any of it within 10 days and you have the right to challenge it and then the approved scheme will look at your challenge and decide. They regularly make LLs return deposits if they are making u reasonable cleaning demands and cannot support what they are asking for with proof of the starting condition.

It’s never a bad idea to have a conversation with the letting agency abiut what’s expected and also show them you understand they can’t specify a professional clean and that ‘impeccable’ isn’t reasonable and that you know you can challenge any deductions through the deposit scheme. Asking them for another copy of the starting inventory and condition report also indicates that you’re not to be taken advantage of.

The agency are trying to make more money by getting a booking for their cleaners. Just reply saying the property will be returned in the clean state you received it in and you do t require their cleaning services. If you want to challenge them on their use of ‘impeccable’ you wouldn’t be unreasonable to do so.

I’m a LL.

It could be that the agency are emailing you because too often, properties are not left in a good state. By reminding people that it needs cleaning throughly and offering their cleaning service, they are trying to head off problems, as well as to make more money.

Part of what the LL is paying them for, is to remind you of this. By seeking a reply, it is making you acknowledge the cleaning responsibility to try to ensure you do it and if you don’t, you do t claim not to have known of the contractual requirement. The term ‘impeccable’ though isn’t reasonable and they shouldn’t be using it. If you haven’t replied to their email, that is why they are sending it again. However if you’ve replied, repetitive sending of the email isn’t reasonable.

It is quite annoying if the new owners will then be decorating etc, but your LL cannot know for sure that the sale will go through. She wants the property in a good condition to pass to the next owners and not to have to come in after you and clean.

Of course, fair wear and tear is acceptable and cannot be charged for.

If you use the cleaner you booked yourself or do a good job where you properly clean the oven and carpets, curtains etc as well as cleaning cupboards, removing all grease and basically do a very thorough clean, that’s usually good enough.

Personally, I take the view that after any tenancy some work needs doing…..usually a bit of decorating at least. If a tenant has always paid their rent, removed all their possessions, only created fair wear and tear and made some effort at cleaning, I wouldn’t deduct for cleaning that wasn’t of the highest standard. I’ve had tenants who’ve been in my property for over 4 years and paid their rent every month and been really decent. I wouldn’t deduct for a greasy oven, or windows not cleaned….but I know some people will do this. And I know there are some LLs who look to extract every last penny they can for spurious cleaning aspects like some dust in top of wardrobe….but fortunately most wouldn’t do that….and remmeber you can challenge anything that seems unreasonable. Take your own photos and make sure you are there for the check-out inspection and approve what is said.

When I left my last rental property I cleaned it thoroughly - including on top of cupboards, inside oven, skirting boards, window frames, etc. in hindsight I'd have paid for a cleaner so do it as it took me so long 😂

OP, do take photos after you’ve cleaned (inside of oven etc) and before you drop the keys off. Occasionally some landlords or agents will claim there’s marks or their place isn’t as clean as it was when you moved in.

It is quite annoying if the new owners will then be decorating etc, but your LL cannot know for sure that the sale will go through. She wants the property in a good condition to pass to the next owners and not to have to come in after you and clean.

I agree. It’s annoying having to clean when you know it’s going to be decorated, but you still need to the standards you would if it wasn’t.

Definitely take photos. DSs landlord tried to retain some of the deposit for professional cleaning when, as a cleaner, I had crawled over every inch of it and it was much cleaner than when he’d moved in.
He had to go to some sort of ombudsman but they found in his favour and he got all his deposit back.

Agree with taking photos. We've had to deal with letting agents. First had an invoice, £500 billed to LL. properly was no cleaner than when we viewed.
Second pointed out soiled mattresses, stains on carpets etc after contracts were signed and deposit paid. We were advised to replace mattresses and leave them when we left, seems this is standard practice. Refused to do this and offered to bring own mattresses. LL replaced. Insisted on 'professional' cleaners were brought back twice and paid £££ to have carpets cleaned. Furniture had NEVER been moved so lots of dirt under.

Expect to have a battle when we leave.