End Of Tenancy Cleaning And What You Should Know
One of the most common disputes between landlords and tenants is the end of tenancy cleaning. Whether you are a landlord or managing a block of flats, it’s important to know your rights. As well as tenants, landlords have obligations and responsibilities to uphold. End of tenancy cleaning is one aspect that should always be outlined in the tenancy agreement. Discover more on the rules with tenancy cleaning and what you should know below.
During the tenancy
During and throughout the tenancy, there is no legal duty for the occupants to keep the property clean whilst living there. This means no requirement for weekly hoovering, window cleaning services, paint touch-ups and so on. That’s not to say however that every tenant shouldn’t be respectful to the property they are staying in.
Of course, there is no issue with landlords or the block property management politely pointing out that there were issues spotted during an inspection. This just means that unless there is a serious health and safety risk, no legal action can be taken until the tenancy has ended.
At the end of the tenancy
The standard agreement with end of tenancy cleaning is that the tenant should leave the property in the same condition it was found in. Both the tenants and those managing a block of flats should take photographs of the property at the start of the tenancy. This ensures that there is evidence of its cleanliness.
As well as this, landlords should give tenants a written inventory listing everything that is provided. This should explain the condition of each commodity. If the walls were initially described as ‘clean condition’, that is how they should be left. If not, the landlord or block property management have the right to retain part of the deposit. This is only allowed to cover the costs of cleaning and repairing the damage.
What constitutes as fair wear and tear?
When staying in a property for longer period of time, it is normal to see gradual deterioration. In general, tenancy agreements will allow reasonable use of the premises and natural wear and tear. As an example, carpets wear naturally over time so should not expect to be in pristine condition. This is a different matter to if there are burns, unnatural rips or large stains. In these cases, if you are the landlord or managing a block of flats, deductions can be taken from the deposit. This also applies to intentional or malicious damage. Broken windows, graffitied walls, and damaged furniture can all be disputed as malicious damage. This is where having images of your inventory from the start will help in the event of making a block of flats insurance claim.
Do I need professional cleaning at the end of a tenancy?
As a tenant, they cannot charge you extra for a professional clean at the end of your tenancy. If found doing so, landlord’s and block property management could receive a fine starting at £5,000. On the other hand, it is a legal right to deduct money from the deposit to pay for cleaning costs. Landlords can also ask the tenant to ensure they have cleaned to a professional standard. It’s always wise to follow these recommendations, in particular, if you wish to have a good reference when renting another property.
At Flats Direct, we provide a broad range of insurance for block of flats. We can assist in providing advice for property management, risk management resources, and cover recommendations. If you need advice on end of tenancy cleaning and how this could affect your claim, get in touch with us. You can also visit our website to get a block of flats insurance quote. Call 0800 731 6242 or send us an email at info@flatsdirect-uk.com.