Hi all,
1 week ago, my partner and have commenced a shorthold tenancy agreement with a private landlord. We’ve agreed to a professional clean upon termination of the contract, but the landlord is also demanding that we employ a professional cleaner on a weekly or fortnightly basis during our tenancy. The cost of this could be £80 per month or even more, and they will not pay for it. We’ve never heard of this before and do not like that the landlord is imposing this upon us. There is no stipulation in the contract. We’ve also given the landlord no reason whatsover to believe that we won’t keep it to a high standard of cleanliness whilst living there (he’s not even seen the property since we moved in).
Are we within our right to continue to refuse his demand? He’s stated that it might be a matter in the leasehold of the property (it’s a flat in a large building) but cannot provide details or evidence about this, so don’t believe this to be a valid reason.
Any advice would be much appreciated!
Insisting you pay for any professional clean, even at the end of the tenancy, would be illegal as its a breach of the Tenant fees Act.
Your contract can require your property only be returned in the same/similar condition as it was when you moved in, allowing for fair wear & tear.
So make sure any inventory provided by the Landlord is accurate. Put in writing any inaccuracies, as this Landlord sounds like they might dispute anything come the end of your tenancy. Assuming they provided an Inventory, as if not, it’ll be very difficult for them to claim anything from your deposit.
In the meantime, politely refuse to employ a professional cleaner, and explain that you will clean the property yourselves.