Hi, I’m just looking for some advice as the estate agents i was renting with has sent me an email regarding my inspection and deposit and is trying to deduct money from my deposit for a ‘‘small clean’’ that was apparently required. In the email they never explained what the small clean was for, or what it even involved.
The property was in poor condition when i first moved in, there was a lot of visible signs that it was never cleaned let alone any professional or deep cleaning. I was never made aware of any inventory and have never signed/seen one for this place at all so i made sure to back myself with photos. I received the place with mold on walIs, mysterious residue and dirt/green stains all on the flooring, something written in paint all over the boiler which is right in view of everything as it was a small studio, there was so much dust build up and dirt build up that it took me ages to get it properly clean and even then there was so much build up that it was close to impossible to remove it all myself. I told them i have photos and videos of the condition of the property when i got the keys as well as when i left and they are claiming that the flat required a 3 hour clean. I do not believe this is true, and if it is true then the cleaner was cleaning things that were 1- already clean 2- was already there before I moved in. I would probably say I left the flat in the same condition i received it in but much cleaner, much more tidy and certainly less moldy. My photos all back this up.
I asked if they could tell me what the ‘‘small clean’’ involved and they replied asking if i can send over my images/videos so that they can ‘‘review’’ the evidence, and then once reviewed they will get back to me with details of what the cleaning involved and how it was calculated etc. They completely avoided when I asked them to tell me what required the cleaning and what it involved, and i feel that my questions are valid considering this is my deposit and I know for a fact they also know the condition of the property was poor when they handed me the keys. They commented on how much I improved the place during every inspection.
I’m not sure what to do from here, or whether im best off just contacting TDS as they are the ones holding my deposit. I dont feel 100% comfortable sending my images over when they’re being so vague about the reasons it apparently required a ‘‘3 hour clean’’ . I don’t know if they are being genuine and do want to review it, but the way their email was worded sounded as if they wont hand over the explanation until I show them what i documented which doesnt seem right to me and no one i know has ever experienced something like that, theyve always had a report at the end of their inspection which clearly breaks down the areas that needed cleaning/repairing etc and the deductions from there. I think I’m also concerned over the fact their ratings are very low , and a lot of their reviews are of past tenants saying do not trust them and there was one or two who uploaded stories similar to mine right now. However, this is my first time ever renting so maybe im being too paranoid and just not aware of how the process works. which is why i would truly appreciate any advice here!
Sorry this is a lengthy one! thanks guys! 