Cleaning a rented flat

[jenniprice]

I have moved out of a rented flat and the agent has picked up some areas that need cleaning.
They want to pay someone �70 to do it, and ake it out of my deposit.
Do I have the right to go clean it myslef, or did I have that chance before I moved out? I would liek to go lean it this weekend, as wont take me long.

I must specify I did give the flat a clean but they have picked up on petty things, such as the hob needs a better clean, the toilet bowl and hoover the wardobe. Dont think this should cost �70 shoudl it!?

[cassa333]

The landlord (or agent) is within their rights to take a reasonable amount out for cleaning and I suppose administration costs. Don't forget they will have to inspect it again.

You could always ask them to let you do it and see what they say.

[Twenty20]

The landlord or agent are very unlikely to let you back in the flat again. I'm afraid you had your chance to clean it properly before you left. �70 probably isn't a lot if they are paying a professional cleaning company. You should ask to see receipts for it though to make sure it was done.

I'm assuming there was an inventory done before you moved in and after you moved out? If not, they would have a hard job charging you anything.

If your deposit is held in a protection scheme, which it very probably is, then you can always dispute the amount and the agent will have to negotiate with you or provide evidence. As you say youre willing to go back in and clean, I'd take it that you do possibly accept that you left it dirtier than it should have been so maybe you should just accept the cost?

[johnny37]

�70 sounds cheap to me. When I used to cover my son's deposits at uni he never got any back.

[Velvetee]

You are supposed to leave the property in the condition you found it in. It really depends on what your contracts says, regarding vacating the flat.

I always have the property professionally cleaned before my tenants move in and expect them to do the same when they leave. It is not good enough to do it yourself, as your standards may not be as high as those of a professional cleaning service.

As someone else said, �70 is not alot. I usually have to pay �150 plus.

[johnny37]

'professionally cleaned' covers a multitude of sins. Often it is the owners mum and is just an excuse for them to retain the deposit. �70 will not cover the whole flat so try asking them exactly what it is that they want cleaned and ask if you can do it yourself. Its worth a try but dont hold your breath.

[Kanewood]

�70 is a fair price and it is a requirement of your Lease.

[jenniprice]

The flat was disgusting when I first moved in. It had been empty for atleast 6 months so really needed a good clean.
All the inventory pictures show it in good condition though, so I presume they were taken when the last tennant moved out.

The toilet bowl was worse than is now, as presume from the stagnant water had turned it brown, I gave it a good clean, but there was some residue that was hard to clean.
Then the hob wasn't that clean, as it's quite an old cooker, but as I've made it slightly dirtier then want me to pay for professional clean.

I thought all these things would constitute wear and tear as have lived there 18months, and cant expect it exactly to the standard.
Also it was myself and my boyfriend who lived there and we both our professionals, so thought we kept the flat well.

In the end I have just paid it as I argued with them but was just getting nowhere. I should have taken pics myself when first moved in to show the state of it, so in a way i shot myself in the foot. Just my partner and I have never had any trouble getting a deposit back.

I also rang a company who offered to clean it for �25, so still think it was a rip off!
Lets just say I'll never be using them again!