Does this describe you? You are about to move to another apartment, and you are worried about the endless things on your to-do list, making you wonder if you have to add a professional end of tenancy cleaning to the list.
Well, professional end of tenancy cleaning in London is not legally required at the end of tenancy but it can be done at the tenant’s discretion.
Even though there are specifics in the cleaning instructions, as a tenant, you can choose between DIY or professional end of tenancy cleaning.
This article speaks explicitly about why professional cleaning is not required in the UK amongst other important end of tenancy cleaning tips and information.
First, the end of tenancy cleaning is whose responsibility?
Before talking about why professional cleaning is not required of you in the UK, it’s possible you are not sure whose responsibility the end of tenancy cleaning is. Perhaps because your rented apartment was already clean when you moved in.
Well, you should know that it is the tenant’s duty to clean the apartment at the end of the tenancy. Generally, the tenant is expected to return the property to the landlord when the lease has ended, cleaned to the same standard.
When a dispute arises, the adjudicator will compare the evidence of the property’s state of cleanliness when the tenant moved in and out to the information about how clean it was when they moved out.
Why is professional cleaning not required in the UK?
It’s a settled fact that it’s your responsibility as a tenant to clean the apartment at the end of your rent. However, you don’t have to spend on hiring professional cleaners. Here’s why…
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 has made some changes to the clause in various lease agreements that requests a professional cleaning at the end of the tenancy.
The Act, which went into effect on 1 June 2019, made it illegal for landlords to request a variety of previously enforceable fees in the leasing agreement, including stipulations to have their property professionally cleaned.
You may select sanitation methods as long as you leave the property clean. It is unjust to demand a “professional cleaning” when the house is already clean or before the tenant can do their own cleaning before the keys are returned.
However, the landlord is within their rights to employ a cleaning company and charge you for the charges if you do not return the property in a comparable condition.
If the landlord agrees to hire a cleaning company to come in before you move in, it’s only reasonable that you pay for one when you leave.
You should discuss the terms with your landlord before you sign the leasing agreement. To avoid disagreements at the conclusion, ensure a how-to agreement.
DIY vs. Professional end of tenancy cleaning
Now that you know that professional cleaning is not legally required in the UK, it’s left to you to decide whether you should clean yourself or hire a professional.
Deciding between DIY or professional end of tenancy cleaning depends on a few factors, like your schedule time and preference. But here are some reasons to consider hiring a professional cleaning agency.
- Not everyone has the free time to commit to cleaning their property between work, organising a move, and everything else. Hiring a professional cleaning agency helps you save time.
- Hiring a professional end of tenancy cleaner will guarantee your house is cleaned to a satisfactory standard, saving you from making a hurried and haphazard effort. This is best because you would not have to do double work if your landlord is not satisfied with your DIY end of tenancy cleaning.
- Professional cleaners bring the tools and top-notch supplies needed to perform a thorough deep clean. It also implies that they will work more quickly because they have a variety of cleaning tools at their disposal.
On the other hand, if you want to engage in DIY rather than a professional cleaning, you want to ensure that your end of tenancy cleaning is as thorough as your landlord would expect. Here are some cleaning activities you must carry out.
- Sweeping and mopping the floors and tiles
- Cleaning the skirting boards, ceiling, and walls of cobwebs
- Mould removal from tiles and walls
- Cleaning and polishing the surfaces of things like sideboards and tables
- Steaming and vacuuming the rugs and carpets
- Window, door, and handle cleaning
- Sanitising huge appliances like dishwashers or washing machines
- Getting rid of limescale from bathtubs, showers, and sinks
- Cleaning up and sweeping outside spaces
- Cleaning and polishing water fittings, including taps
- Cleaning and organising drawers, wardrobes, and cabinets
- Cleaning and sanitising the bathroom
- Kitchen countertops and cabinets should be cleaned
- Cleaning all equipment (kettles, toaster, microwave, etc.)
- Cleaning the stovetop, the oven, and all of its parts
- Cleaning and emptying the refrigerator and freezer
- Cleaning and emptying containers (inside and outside ones)
If you can tick these tasks off the list, your landlord will hardly have any issues with you while you are moving out.
But most times, to avoid landlord-tenant disputes, it’s best to hire professionals for end of tenancy cleaning. Well, that still depends on your budget.
Who decides if the end of tenancy cleaning is thorough enough?
This is another relevant question to answer. There’s no sole person who decides if the end of tenancy cleaning is thorough enough. Here’s how the decision is made:
Since landlords and their renting agencies aren’t objective, a professional inventory clerk should be employed to list every item in the house at the beginning of the tenancy and describe each one.
At the end of the tenancy, the whole procedure is repeated. The inventory clerk will also comment on how clean the carpets and the entire premises are.
Both the landlord and the tenant would be able to support their claims regarding the cleanliness of the carpets with the help of specific, clear, and date-stamped photos taken at check-in and check-out if an independent clerk wasn’t used.
Conclusion
Doing a DIY or professional cleaning is up to the tenant’s preference and discretion. If you know you would be able to meet up with the cleaning standard and you have the time, you could do it yourself. But you can hire a professional to avoid stress and unnecessary dispute.
Looking for professional cleaning in London? Check out Skycleaners at https://skycleaners.co.uk at 83 Drapers Rd, London E15 2AZ, United Kingdom. You can request your free quote by calling +44 7879 101049.
