Apartment cleaning bill - tenant/landlord?

good_sir_knight · 21-07-2010 09:31AM #1

Hi All

I am wondering if someone could clarify for me what the general consensus is on paying for professional cleaning the apartment after you've left.

We moved into an apartment 2.5 yrs ago. it wasn't professionally cleaned when we moved in so we spent two days cleaning the place (it was 2007 and we were delighted to get a decent place in the madness of it all).

We moved out at the beginning of the month and left the place clean and spotless, wiped all the surfaces and hovered the place thoroughly.

Now we're being told that we're liable for the bill that the professional cleaners have sent into the landlord - which is about 300 including carpet cleaning. I'm finding this a bit hard to accept, we paid the rent on time, looked after the place like it was our own and always kept it clean and tidy. Surely as long as the place is left as it was found with nothing broken, missing or anything like that then the tenants are entitled to their deposit back in full?

Thanks
K

Tinker13 · 21-07-2010 10:02AM

Stick to your guns on this.

If you haven't damaged anything or left piles of rubbish behind you are not liable for any 'deep clean'.

Realistically you could have asked for a repaint/refresh at this stage anyhow which I assume hasn't happened recently.

The Landlord wouldn't have a leg to stand on if you took your dispute to the PRTB.

ballsymchugh · 21-07-2010 10:08AM

you should ask to see a receipt. our old landlord tried to pull that one on us even though we were just finishing up cleaning the place when the new tenants pulled in on the driveway.
photos would have helped, but it's no use to you now. next time though!

Cathmandooo · 21-07-2010 10:11AM

Sounds like the cleaning is not beyond normal wear and tear, landlord can't take money out of your deposit for it. Tell them you're bringing it before the PRTB and you should get your full deposit back.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/housing/renting-a-home/landlords_rights_and_obligations

Deposits
As a landlord, you may withhold a deposit (or part of a deposit) only if:

The tenant has not given you proper notice when leaving
You have been left with outstanding bills (i.e., public utilities) or rent
The tenant has caused damage beyond normal wear and tear.

good_sir_knight · 21-07-2010 10:37AM

thanks for the help everyone, this does clarify it quite clearly that we're not liable for the professional clean, "beyond normal wear and tear" is the term that clinches it for me. nice one Cathoo!

He did provide a bill breaking down the cost of carpet cleaning and 10 hours of general cleaning but I can't see how we'd be expected to pay for that.

Definitely sticking to my guns on this one, see what the PRTB have to say.

Osgoodisgood · 21-07-2010 01:25PM

You might want to check your lease before you toddle off to the PRTB. Some landlords will have a clause allowing professional cleaning to be done at your expense irrespective of the condition you feel you have left it in.

Hippo · 21-07-2010 03:40PM

Definitely have a closer look at your lease as recommended by Osgood to make sure there isn't a cleaning clause of some kind. Lots of landlords seem to be using this rouse these days to hold onto some of the deposit.

Apartment cleaning bill - tenant/landlord?

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