You're prepared to leave the rental property, but there are still many things to cross off your list. Cleaning your property is one of the most crucial things you'll need to arrange.
Here is a guide on making your place ready to turn over to your landlord or their agent as a service to you.
Why spend the time cleaning the house?
There are a few reasons it's worthwhile to take the time to clean the home you've been renting:
Avoid conflicts
One of the most frequent causes of tenancy disputes is a dirty home. Over half of the disputes that the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) resolves involve cleaning. You'll have a better chance of getting your entire deposit returned if you keep the place as spotless as it was when you initially moved there.
Get credible references
When you move into your new home, you might require references from your current landlord. Your landlord might mention this in their recommendation to your new landlord if you didn't clean it to a satisfactory level before you moved out.
What criteria will your landlord or letting agent use?
The anticipated standard of cleanliness is typically ambiguous. What one party could deem pristine might be totally different from what another party thinks. This may be the reason why the TDS resolves so many issues about cleaning standards.
Your landlord or rental agent should only expect you to keep your rented house as tidy as it was when you first moved in while taking into consideration normal wear and tear.
Therefore, it's important to make sure you have your inventory with you so you can see how things appeared before your tenancy started, whether you choose to do it yourself or choose to pay a professional cleaner to do the work. You'll be able to concentrate on washing the skirting boards rather than trying to fix the scuff on the wall that was there when you moved in if you keep your inventory with you while you clean each room.
DIY versus professional cleaning
You might be debating between organizing the property yourself or hiring a professional cleaning service. There are many factors that make both choices appealing:
You'll save a lot of money by cleaning the rental home yourself, leaving you with extra cash for your relocation to a new home.
The drawback of this is that it can take a lot of time. To restore the property to the condition it was in before you moved in, you'll need to put in the time necessary for a complete and rigorous cleaning.
Professional Cleaning
Selecting a reputable cleaning service ensures a stress-free relocation. You may focus on the other items on your moving day checklist by hiring someone to handle the cleaning.
If the home is professionally cleaned by an end of tenancy cleaning company in London like https://skycleaners.co.uk/end-of-tenancy-cleaning/ (Opens in a new window), you're less likely to have deposit deductions for cleaning because you've selected a knowledgeable crew that should ensure the house is spotless.
There are certain drawbacks, though. Cleaning services from experts might be pricey. It might be one cost too many unless a few of you are ready to contribute, especially if money is getting tight after you've paid the deposit for your new home. To get a free quote get in touch with Skycleaners at 83 Drapers Road, London, E15 2AZ or call 44 7879 101049 - when you give them the exact information about your property they will give you a precise price so there are no hidden fees and you know what to expect and how much it will cost you.
Additionally, picking the best cleaner can be challenging. You run the danger of hiring a company that doesn't do a good job, just like with any service. To ensure that everything lines up, go over your inventory and compare the list with the work that has been done.
What about the demand for a qualified clean?
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 has made some changes to the clause in various lease agreements that requests a professional clean at the end of the tenancy.
The Act, which took effect on 1 June 2019, makes it illegal for landlords to request a variety of previously enforceable fees in the leasing agreement, including stipulations to have their property professionally cleaned.
What does it mean to be "legitimate and fair"?
Landlords requesting reimbursement for fees must have a strong argument. The Office of Fair Trading had said that requiring a professional clean is an unreasonable clause and that landlords and leasing agents were never in the position to require this of their tenants before the introduction of the Tenant Fees Act.
In situations where they can't agree with the renters, the TDS eventually decides whether landlords have a case. You will need to contest your landlord's claim, for instance, if you believe you have cleaned the home to the standard it was at when you moved in, but the landlord is keeping your deposit to pay for a professional clean and you can demonstrate that you did so.
However, if the property is not cleaned to the landlord's standards and the landlord can demonstrate it, the landlord may still remove the cost of cleaning from your deposit. Therefore, it's still crucial to fully clean the house before you leave.