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.”
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Previous Article
Property Analysis - Part 1 – How it can save you thousands!Next Article
Is the property industry at risk of defamation?
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12220 - Articles: 1427
10:27 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
You definately are if you are using Coca Cola, any old cheap Cola works just as well – I’ve tried 😉
Member Since September 2011 - Comments: 882 - Articles: 30
10:34 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Paul my seminars include that and how to clean and remove all manner of bugs, prevent mould growth …… I did a 7 hour seminar today with a great group of landlords and had a good chat about all of this.
One of my jobs is to take a property from a person who doesnt know how to prepare it for letting and get it up to scratch for them. I really love this job and in fact I took the keys for a new project at the weekend and I have almost finished the flat, let it from next thursday and I will arrange the funiture to be in by this weekend
You do not know my taste in shoes and handbags my friend
Member Since September 2011 - Comments: 882 - Articles: 30
10:40 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Tut you just blew my chances of being the face of Coca Cola! Yep I use the cheapest I can find too.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 561
10:49 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
It took me 3 short days to do a 3 bedroom flat, it is so much quickly then doing my home – as there is nothing in the way in a empty flat. Party I think if you decorate a place often, there is less filling etc to do. T
These days I tend to leave the brushes and roller in a sealed bag overnight, then just bin them at the end.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 561
10:53 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Party it also comes down to how long it takes you to find a good painter and how much time you have to spend checking his/her work.
DIY saves all the time of waiting for trade’s people not to turn up to quote.
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12220 - Articles: 1427
10:56 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
There’s a simply answer to that one if you don’t want to do it yourself Ian. Use our Directory (in the header of every page here) to find the trades you need, send the same message to six at a time and the ones that call you back are obviously hungry for your business. When you find a good one, please remember to leave them a nice testimonial of their profile.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 561
11:32 PM, 14th December 2011, About 14 years ago
It will take me longer to phone a set of trades people, meet them on site and get quotes, then to do it myself.
I have found that even with rated people where the trade people pay for the lead, less than 1 in 3 turns up on time to quote!
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12220 - Articles: 1427
12:23 PM, 15th December 2011, About 14 years ago
I have a present for you all from Wickes as a thank you for giving them a plug. They are giving you a 10% discount code, details as follows:-
10% off when you spend £50 or more on the essentials: tiles, flooring, paint and lighting (full details below)
Offer: Get an Extra 10% Off Orders When You Spend £50+
Promotional Code: WKSAFFDEC2
Start Date: Thursday 15th December 2011
End Date: Monday 19th December 2011 (at 23.59pm)
LINK HERE
Terms and Conditions:
Discount applies to online purchases of £50 or more in a single transaction on any combination of the following products only:
Flooring: All Laminate Flooring, Real and Solid Wood Flooring, Vinyl and Cork Tiles, Scotias, Trims, Flooring Tools, Underlays, Adhesives and Aftercare,
Tiling: All Tiles, Tile Borders, Tile Spacers, Tile Trims, Tile Adhesives, Tile Grouts, Tiling Tools, Tile Maintenance, Tile Aftercare, Underfloor Heating.
Lighting: Includes all Indoor & Outdoor Lighting but excludes light bulbs
Only one discount code can be used per transaction. The use of the discount codes is limted to one per customer.
The discount code is valid from 15th December to 19th December 2011 inclusive.
Comments: 1108
9:31 AM, 16th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Mark I was completely satisfied with the standard of work that I hve recently hda done on my flats.
I mentioned your website as somewhere where they could possibly put details to obtain possible work from landlords like me.
I don’t think there are that many Mary Latams out there and clearly as lanldords we have to have these works carried out perioically if we are to be able to contiue to rent out our properties.
I was unable to give any advice this contractoe as to any costs or how he would go about registering his details and testimonials.
Is there anything obvious on the site which would give chapter and verse to such a contractor to explain to him what to do to facilitate his details on your site.?
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12220 - Articles: 1427
9:53 AM, 16th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Thanks for that Paul, it’s much appreciated. Just send people to the “Gold Profile” tab on the Navigation bar or the advert on the left sidebar which says “Get Your Business Noticed”