End of tenancy - dispute over cleaning

[baboon6]

Hi,

We have just come to the end of a short tenancy. There was an inventory taken at the beginning and at the end of the tenancy, and prior to the end inventory, we hired a professional company to clean the flat.

The inventory company is now alleging that the flat has not been professionally cleaned (which was a clause in the contract), and the landlord has agreed with some, if not all, of their complaints. With one small exception, to us the claims seem groundless; on top of this, the inventory rep had assured us that we would probably be fine to get our deposit back (and then filed a completely different report).

Could someone point me to a short summation of our rights in such a case (or offer advice, if you have been in a similar situation)? Many thanks!

[R0b]

Re: End of tenancy - dispute over cleaning

Do you have a receipt for the flat being professionally cleaned?
Did you take any photos after the flat was cleaned?

[baboon6]

Re: End of tenancy - dispute over cleaning

Thanks for the reply.

We can easily get a receipt for the professional cleaning. Unfortunately we didn't take any photos after the flat was cleaned, but the inventory company did, and notably in terms of general cleanliness, there is no way that anyone could tell the difference between these and photos taken before we moved into the flat.

[Diana M]

Re: End of tenancy - dispute over cleaning

Was this property managed by an agent or are you dealing with the Landlord direct?

Is/was the deposit protected?

If so, you can raise a dispute with the agent (if there is one) or direct with the Landlord (in writing) and then escalate it to the relevant TDS scheme (assuming the deposit is protected).

At that point the Landlord has to release the non-disputed amount of the deposit to the Tenant while things are investigated.

Never mind what the inventory clerk said about the return of your deposit since it isn't their decision to make. They tend to sidestep potential confrontation when a Tenant is present during the check-out.

Shelter's website has useful information for you here (including a template letter to help you to recover your deposit) >

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housi...nancy_deposits

Di

[Crazy council]

Re: End of tenancy - dispute over cleaning

Hi

Proffesionaly cleaned does not meen you have to bring in proffesional cleaners, just that it has to be up to a standard. Its a bit of an odd term in a TC, becuase proffessional firms can be rubbish, and tenants really good at final clean up.

What i have noticed is a tendancy for some Agents/landlord to just try claim the depaosits off the tenants using unreasonable end of tenacy terms.

I would, demad all paperowrk and photos from the Prior inventory and the end one, with individual issuse maked out by the agent. Tell them that you will consult with the cleaner you used and the prior documentaion for the origional inventory to varify there claims.

Tell them that holding onto your deposit will cost you firther and if its found that any claims from them are overplayed or unreasonable, that you will push for furthjer costs. ( just being pushy )

Tell them to provide you with a list of all disputed items by friday and that you wil trigger the depsot dispute clause in with your deposit company. Tell them if they wish to deal with it without involving the deposit company ( and further time/costs )

regards George

[baboon6]

Re: End of tenancy - dispute over cleaning

Thanks Di. We are dealing with the landlord direct. The main point of contention now (aside from a couple of minor alleged damage issues) is that the inventory company rated the cleaning as of 'good domestic standard, rather than 'professional standard', but there is no clear evidence to support what they mean by this. The flat was in the same condition as when we moved in.

Thanks very much for the Shelter link.

Was this property managed by an agent or are you dealing with the Landlord direct?

Is/was the deposit protected?

If so, you can raise a dispute with the agent (if there is one) or direct with the Landlord (in writing) and then escalate it to the relevant TDS scheme (assuming the deposit is protected).

At that point the Landlord has to release the non-disputed amount of the deposit to the Tenant while things are investigated.

Never mind what the inventory clerk said about the return of your deposit since it isn't their decision to make. They tend to sidestep potential confrontation when a Tenant is present during the check-out.

Shelter's website has useful information for you here (including a template letter to help you to recover your deposit) >

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housi...nancy_deposits

Di

[baboon6]

Re: End of tenancy - dispute over cleaning

One thing to note for other people dealing with difficult tenancy deposit situations - unfortunately Shelter don't offer advice on these issues on their phone line any longer. They simply have too much to do in advising people on evictions and more serious matters. Sign of the times, sadly...

[Tiltovich]

If you have applied to a professional house cleaning company, you are right, and they are trying to deceive you. Try contacting the company from which you hired people for professional cleaning and ask them for a receipt or a document that proves that they are a professional house cleaning company and that you have used their services. I usually always do this when I contact my company that makes me move out cleaning South London. I hope my advice will help you, and remember, if something happens, go to court if you consider yourself right.