Cleaning Costs are Adding Up
Landlords are seeing a rising amount of deposit disputes over the cleaning of properties according to The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks.
They say 40% of all tenancy deposit disputes involve some sort of cleaning cost. They also claim tenants don’t see cleaning costs as anything more than “fair wear and tear”, hence the disputes.
Pat barber, Chair of AIIC, said “’Not my problem’ is a common statement from some tenants, however sometimes it is. Accidents happen during a tenancy and tenants need to realise that they must take financial responsibility for things that are beyond normal wear and tear.
“For example, a tenant looked after someone else’s cat for a few weeks during the tenancy. On check-out, there were pet hairs on the curtains and soft furnishings, cat claw marks on the corners of the sofa and scratches to the back door. The tenant said it wasn’t her cat so why should she pay for the cleaning and repairing the damage?”
Ovens and stained carpets cause the most problems, and are also the more expensive things to clean.
“It’s so important for landlords and agents to do a thorough check-in and check-out, so they have the right proof of condition at the start and end of a new tenancy agreement. At the check-out stage, the tenant should be made aware of the areas requiring cleaning and the potential cost involved. Tenants are often shocked to realise that professional cleaning can cost anything from £10 – £20 per hour depending on the area and type of work required.”
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Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12220 - Articles: 1427
10:05 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
There’s nothing wrong with being lazt Paul if you can afford to be. On the other hand maybe you are just smart and invest the time it would take you to do it yourself more profitably. I know Mary get’s a lot of satisfaction from her cleaning and decorating so I can’t blame her for doing that if that’s what she enjoys. Me on the other hand, getting my hands dirty, pah !!! If Mary didn’t do it though, where would we go to get all these useful tips? Her tip to use Cola products to clean and unblock sinks and toilets just have to be tried to be beleiver. Mary has even managed to convert me on that one, I am a beleiver!!!
Member Since September 2011 - Comments: 882 - Articles: 30
10:08 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
This is why I use what matt. I have tried every make over the years and nothing beats Wickes own Trade paint.
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12220 - Articles: 1427
10:12 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
And you can even buy it via property118.com without leaving your home and driving to the store now Mary. Second advert down, right hand side 🙂
Member Since September 2011 - Comments: 882 - Articles: 30
10:17 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Practice makes perfect and I find decorating very quick and easy I can do a two bed flat throughout in 2 days – 2 looooong days but still only two days andf or the cost of the paint, and rollers I always throw these away because I am too lazy to clean them. The first half of day one is always caulking and filling/sanding and then its radio on and off I go.
I am still waiting for Mark to tell me how I could spend my time better and at £1300 I cannot think of a single thing. I can buy a nice handbag and shoes for that money and they will give me more pleasure anything else I could do with 2 midweek days.
Comments: 1108
10:19 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Yes I am in your camp re getting hands dirty!!
I suppose you just have to factor in a redec if tenants have been there long term.
Consequently you need to set up a redec sinking fund.
The redec is offsettable against rental income isn’t it?
Worked it out I would have had to put £20.00 away per month to pay for the redec and you know what I think I am lazy; I prefer to go out and earn the money to pay the contractor to do the work so that I can sit on my computer posting LOL!!
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12220 - Articles: 1427
10:21 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
You and me both Paul 🙂
Member Since September 2011 - Comments: 882 - Articles: 30
10:24 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Ask wickes if they will pay me for my endorsement Mark hahahahahaha
Or maybe coca cola – I am missing a trick here
Member Since September 2011 - Comments: 882 - Articles: 30
10:25 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
I do both because I am a woman hahahahahaha
Comments: 1108
10:26 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
I think your seminars if they don’t already should include a presentation on how to redec a property correctly.
I think I should have employed you to do my flats I would have sved a fortune; in fact I could afford to pay you fro 2 days work and buy you a handbag and shoes and I would still be quids in!!!?
10:27 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
wicks has recently changed their paint it is much better now than before ,have you wondered who makes wicks paint and how many paint companies there actually is that manufacture it .??