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According to an annual review carried out by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), the most common cause of disputes between landlords and tenants is cleanliness. The number of complaints made about cleaning has increased from 49% in 2009 to 56% in 2013 and the problem is getting worse.
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Filthy Homes
The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) has seen a sharp rise in the number of rental properties requiring the services of a professional cleaning company at the end of a tenancy. They say many tenants are not leaving their property in the same condition it was in when they first moved in. Common issues include dirty ovens, fridges and bathrooms, pet hair on furniture, and stains on carpets. One example cited was a home where the oven was full of grease and old food, the bathroom hadn’t been cleaned since the tenants moved in, and a huge chunk was missing from the living room carpet.
Do a Proper Inventory
The TDS says many tenants complain that they were not told what was expected of them in terms of cleaning when they first moved in. To avoid this it is essential that you have a proper inventory prepared at the beginning of a new tenancy. Do a full check-in and check-out so everyone knows what condition the property was in at the start and end of the tenancy.
If there are any cleaning issues at the end of the tenancy, make sure you inform your tenant of the potential cost involved after allowing for fair wear and tear. If anything is listed as clean at the start, it must be in the same state at the end.
