The study, conducted by PropertyLetByUs.com – a leading online letting agent, shows that the most mucky parts of rented properties at the end of the tenancy are ovens (56%), carpets and flooring (25%), showers (21%), sinks (19%) fridges/freezers (18%) and baths (14%).
This problem is affecting the majority of landlords with over 70% saying their rental properties are returned to them in a dirty condition when the tenants move out. At least one occasion, a rental property returned to them in such a bad condition that the property has required a full refurbishment.
Cleaning accounts for over half of cases dealt by the TDS and disputes over cleaning is now at its highest level since the start of the scheme. According to PropertyLetByUs.com, the problem is that tenants have little, or no respect for their rented home.
Jane Morris, Managing Director of PropertyLetByUs.com comments: “Unfortunately tenants fail to treat a rented property like they would if it was their own home. Many tenants fail to leave their property in the same condition as when they moved into the property and we have seen many properties left in a filthy state.
The main problems are dirty ovens and fridges; stains and marks on carpeting and flooring; bathrooms which have not been cleaned for months; and pet hair and excrement on floors, furniture and soft furnishings.
At a recent check out, the property was left in a very poor condition. No cleaning had taken place during the tenancy and the ovens, carpets and the bathrooms were filthy. Unwanted furniture was the left in the house and strewn across the garden.
Some tenants claim that cleaning issues are just normal wear & tear and are shocked when they find out that it will cost around £50 - £70 to have the oven professionally cleaned and anything between £100-£150 to clean carpets and floorcoverings. The simple answer is that if an area or item was clean at check in it should be left clean at check out. If any dust or crumbs are present then this is clearly not clean.
It’s vital that landlords carry out mid-term inspections so they can flag up any cleaning issues, as well as 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, the tenants should be made aware of the areas requiring cleaning and the potential cost involved.”
