Responsibilities for End of Tenancy Cleaning: What Surbiton Tenants Need to Know
As your probably aware there’s a multitude of tasks to consider and carry-out when moving out of a property in Surbiton. Somewhere near the bottom of your ‘to do’ list will probably be cleaning the place. In this blog who want to stress what your obligations are when it comes to the end of tenancy cleaning to make sure you give this task some serious thought. Ultimately if you don’t it can cost you significant amounts of your hard earned cash!
Understanding Tenant Obligations
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 specifies what are permissible and prohibited fees for tenants renting. Specifically, the legislation bars landlords from mandating that tenants pay for professional cleaning when their tenancy comes to an end.
However, this does not absolve tenants of their obligation to ensure the property is cleaned before departure. They remain accountable for restoring the property to its initial state, as stipulated in the tenancy agreement, which can be contractually enforced.
Landlord Rights and Deposit Deductions
Landlords have the right to claim for expenses related to restoring their property to it’s original condition. This means deducting these costs from the tenancy deposit they hold. This will often include cleaning costs.
It’s important, some may say vital, to establish an inventory at the tenancy’s onset that accurately documents the property’s initial condition. Ensure that this is as comprehensive as possible because it is a record of the condition the property was handed over in. Without this documentation, landlords may encounter challenges in justifying their claim, ultimately costing them time and money.
Additionally, fair wear and tear must be factored into property checkout assessments. Fair wear and tear basically means natural defects resulting from a tenant’s reasonable use of the property and is seperate from the issue of cleanliness.
While there’s no precise definition of wear and tear, tenants shouldn’t be held liable for the natural deterioration that occurs during the tenancy if they’ve used the property and its contents responsibly. For example, wear on a carpet from regular use falls under fair wear and tear, and landlords cannot deduct from the deposit in such scenarios.
Please note that the information provided is general advice and may not be applicable to your specific circumstances. It’s advisable to seek independent legal advice before taking any action based on this information.