In the US and the UK, it is important to leave a rented property in good condition, and clean. More disputes are started between tenants and landlords over cleanliness than any other factor.
A landlord has the right and the expectation of receiving their property back in the same condition that it was let out in the first place.
There are rights that tenants are entitled to as well, and one of these is the choice of performing an end-of-tenancy clean themselves.
According to The Tenants Voice, the landlord has no right to expect a professional cleaning service to be used. Why then, do so many people decide to employ professional end-of-tenancy cleaning services?
What is an end-of-tenancy clean?
As the name implies end-of-tenancy cleans are a service that is performed prior to the tenant handing back the keys as their agreement comes to an end.
A business such as Crown Cleaners will offer services that are tailored toward the standards expected by a landlord. The cleaning services involved are much the same as any other option but you could expect a company dealing in end-of-tenancy cleaning to have more of an understanding of how to get a deposit returned.
Some end-of-tenancy cleaning services even guarantee that you will not have any deductions made to your deposit in regards to cleanliness.
What is the point in using end-of-tenancy cleaners?
Many housing experts will state that more than half of landlord/tenant disputes are over cleaning. According to the Bromley Property Company in the UK, the number one reason that landlords refuse to return deposits is due to cleanliness issues.
Using a professional cleaning service, therefore, could be one way of negating this problem. There are numerous benefits to gain from using an end-of-tenancy cleaning company too.
They will save you time too. If you choose to perform your own clean when your tenancy ends, you may have to take time off from work. This could mean using holiday entitlement or even losing out financially by not being able to take overtime.
What benefits could you gain by hiring end-of-tenancy cleaners?
These services aren’t just for tenants, and landlords can gain from using an end-of-tenancy cleaner too.
Using this type of cleaning service means that a property can be let out instantly again. Financially, this is advantageous for the landlord, and it can also help with relations between them and the tenant.
If you leave the home ready to be let out again, you will be more likely to avoid any disputes. You will therefore see more, or all, of your security deposit again, and quickly.
You will also be leaving on good terms. A little karma certainly doesn’t hurt, and you will no doubt want to receive a good reference for your next rental property.
Proper cleaning can also help to extend the life of furniture and carpets. There are important reasons for carpet cleaning, including bringing it back to life but also protecting it. This is something that a landlord might want to consider.
Normal wear and tear are expected, but a proper carpet clean can extend the life of the floor covering and save money in the longer term.
A professional clean when your agreement ends can also help to remove awkward stains and marks that are too stubborn to remove with normal cleaning methods. This can also help with the return of your deposit.
Can you perform your own clean when your tenancy ends?
As previously mentioned, there is no obligation on a tenant’s part to hire a professional cleaning service. Many people choose to carry out their own cleaning when they leave a renal property.
If you have kept on top of your cleaning throughout your agreement, you may feel that hiring professionals are an unwanted expense.
However, there are some areas that do get ignored or are unpleasant to deal with. Greasy stoves and ovens can be deeply awkward, and not enjoyable, to clean. Removing mildew and limescale in bathrooms takes time, and it is unlikely that you are able to steam clean the carpets and rugs.
While you can certainly roll up your sleeves, and get stuck in, you may not have the tools, equipment, or cleaning products, to carry out work to the required standard.
Summary
Moving home can be expensive, time-consuming, and even emotional. The last thing you probably want is to have any added expense. You may know how to clean like the professionals, but if you can’t or don’t want to, then you may have to consider budgeting for an end-of-tenancy clean.
Although you will have to put some money to one side for this service, it may be worth it compared to how much you could lose on your deposit. A landlord could hold on to your deposit while you are in dispute, and this could make life awkward if you were planning on using this money elsewhere.