Cleaning Disputes Regarding End of Tenancy Deposits
For more than 14 years, we have been offering our specialized end-of-tenancy cleaning service in London and assisting thousands of clients in receiving their security deposits returned. However, during the past few weeks, we’ve detected a concerning tendency. Due to poor cleanliness, many who have been paying professional cleaners continue to have their security deposits taken away. Due to our extensive industry knowledge, we got in touch with a few letting agents in person and explained the situation to them. We believe that everything we’ve learnt will enable you to choose wisely when hiring end-of-tenancy cleaners and receive a complete refund.
How to Avoid Having Your Security Deposit Reduced
First of all, we want to emphasise that when a renter doesn’t receive their
deposit in full due to cleaning omissions, all parties suffer in some manner. If a property has certain hygiene problems, the landlord or rental agency must hire a different cleaner since they are unable to rent it out. The fact that cleaners have put a lot of time and effort into their work and want to please their customers adds to their frustration. Additionally, as the renter, you lose money, which is more than unpleasant because moving is an expensive endeavour! In light of this, there are a few actions you may take to prevent deductions from your end-of-tenancy deposit. Here are some options for how you can interact with the circumstance and other people.
You, the Tenant
A portion or even the entire deposit may be withdrawn for a variety of reasons, such as missing furnishings or irreversible damage. However, conflicts regarding the property’s cleanliness are still among the main causes for which renters do not receive their entire security deposit back. It is not sufficient to merely employ end-of-tenancy cleaners to ensure that the house will be cleaned to the professional quality required by the real estate firm. You, the renter, are responsible for keeping the property in a clean-able state. That implies that you will have already left the property with all of your belongings before the cleaners come. To allow the specialists to work freely and effectively, the home should only be furnished with the fixtures you rented it with. Additionally, you must make sure that nobody, not even you, enters or uses the property following the expert end-of-tenancy cleaning until the final inspection. This is the only method to ensure that the rental will continue to be maintained to a professional quality and that the inspectors won’t make any observations.
Letting Agents / Landlords
If there are any omissions noted in the inventory report, some rental companies do not let cleaners enter the home again. Please inquire about their policies with your agents. Imagine if they refuse to let the cleaning staff come back. When such occurs, we at Cleaner Cleaner often provide our clients with a different option. If they choose a morning cleaning slot, we advise them to schedule the inventory check for 12:00 pm, and if they chose an afternoon cleaning window, for 4:00 pm. In this manner, the inventory clerk arrives at the conclusion of the move-out cleaning service. Our team can make the required corrections right away if they find any omissions, saving our clients the trouble and ensuring they receive their deposits returned.
Inventory Clerks
They are a third party involved in the transfer of the rental house. These inspectors are independent contractors; neither the landlord nor the renting agent employs them. Additionally, these inspectors may be rather rigorous in their findings at times. And occasionally, these inspectors write reports with a lot of rigidity. You can’t really be furious at them because their livelihood depends on discovering even the smallest particles of dust. There is no way to accurately forecast their behaviour. Before the end-of-tenancy cleaning, you can, nevertheless, take certain safety precautions. Request a list of professionally required tasks from the letting agency so you may inform your end-of-tenancy cleaners of the specifications. They often provide the inspector with the same inventory. In the event of a disagreement, you will have the basis to claim that you have complied with your tenant duties.
Cleaning Companies
Make sure you contract with a business that is genuinely professional to clean
your home after a tenant vacates! When choosing move-out cleaners, many consumers choose the business with the lowest pricing. However, the lowest price frequently denotes the lowest level of work quality. It goes without saying that there is a high risk of having money taken out of your security deposit due to hygiene issues when working with a dubious company. And occasionally, even when they do offer services of a reasonable calibre, they come with an unwelcome surprise. For the end-of-tenancy cleaning, some businesses list a “set charge,” such as 150£ for a one-bedroom flat. That seems like a good deal, no? Moving out cleaning isn’t truly a set service, though. Each property is unique. One-bedroom apartments may only contain a bedroom and a kitchen, but others could also feature a study, a utility room, or a large dining area. Additionally, hiring cleaners with a predetermined charge has two potential outcomes. They would either only half clean the home or charge extra for any additional rooms and areas they deem necessary. Always select end-of-tenancy cleaners who enquire about a lot of information regarding the home. The only way to be sure the price you are given is the final one is to do that.
Also, although this may be us repeating ourselves, make sure to find out if your agents have any particular criteria. Then, have the cleaners look them over to avoid disappointment and having your security deposit taken away. Take the extra effort of investigating the end-of-tenancy cleaning businesses in your neighbourhood while you are getting ready to move out. Every business out there offers a cleaning guarantee, so you should think about checking the terms of the guarantee while conducting your stud. Or, to put it another way, a respectable business should specify the circumstances in which they return to clean if any errors are found. Everyone can miss a minor detail when thoroughly cleaning a home because we are all human. However, if there are grievances, we go back and take before and after images of the items or locations that we overlooked so that they may be used as evidence that the work was completed. We will offer you proof that we have adhered to our pledge to return and clean the property to the expected quality, unlike other dubious professionals.
Having stated that, we shall attempt to express it succinctly:
- Understand the demands of the letting agency
- Ensure that the inspection is scheduled no later than 24 hours following the end-of-tenancy cleaning by a professional
- Thoroughly research the move-out cleaners you choose
There shouldn’t be any justification for deductions from your deposit if all of these requirements are completed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A: Tenants are typically responsible for returning the property in the same condition as it was at the start of the tenancy, accounting for normal wear and tear. This often includes thorough cleaning of the property.
A: Landlords can deduct cleaning costs from the deposit if the property is not returned in a satisfactory condition, as per the terms agreed upon in the tenancy agreement.
A: If you believe the charges are unfair, you can raise a dispute through the deposit protection scheme where your deposit is held. Providing evidence such as photographs can support your case.
A: Fair wear and tear refers to the normal deterioration of the property due to everyday use. It does not cover damage caused by negligence or misuse by the tenant.
A: Hiring a professional cleaning service is recommended, especially if your tenancy agreement requires professional cleaning standards. It can also help avoid disputes over the state of cleanliness.
A: If you cannot afford professional services, you should do the cleaning yourself to the best standard possible. Document the property’s condition after cleaning to show effort and care.
A: Taking detailed photographs or videos of the property’s condition after cleaning and before handing over the keys can serve as evidence if there’s a dispute.
A: While not legally required, some landlords provide a cleaning checklist to help tenants understand their expectations. If one isn’t provided, tenants can request clarification.
A: Generally, the security deposit is not meant to be used for cleaning services. It’s intended to cover costs for any damage or unpaid rent.
A: If your landlord refuses to return your deposit and you disagree with their reasons, you can file a dispute with the deposit protection scheme or seek legal advice for further actions.
