Moving from one house to another can be a stressful experience for any tenant and, while you have many things on your to-do list, one of the most important tasks can be your end of tenancy cleaning.
Failure to clean your home to an appropriate level when the time comes to move out might result in problems you hadn’t anticipated. However, if you’re not sure why an end-of-tenancy cleaning is important, you can learn the answers below.
Why is End of Tenancy Cleaning Important?
Avoid a Tenancy Dispute
Many disputes that the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) plays a part in adjudicating involve end of tenancy cleaning and general cleaning. A landlord may refuse to return your deposit if they don’t believe you have met the terms of your tenancy agreement or have damaged their property.
To receive your deposit or fight your landlord’s claims, you might need to undergo the tenancy deposit disputes process with the TDS, which can be both time-consuming and costly. However, you might be able to avoid such a process if you hire a company to assist with an end-of-tenancy clean or undertake the cleaning process yourself.
Receive Good References
Receiving good references can be crucial for your future house hunting prospects. Without references, other landlords may not choose you over other prospective tenants who do have past landlords to call upon for information.
A good reference can be something as basic as permission to give your landlord’s phone number to future landlords or as detailed as a written reference with information describing the ways you were a good tenant.
If you don’t prioritise an end of tenancy clean, you may decrease your chances of receiving this all-important information from your landlord.
Help Future Tenants
Any tenant can build a strong relationship with their landlord by keeping their property clean throughout their tenancy and once it ends. However, your actions can also affect future tenants.
When you take the time to perform an end-of-tenancy clean, you’re enabling your landlord to show off a neat, tidy home for prospective future tenants to enjoy.
Who is Responsible for Cleaning at the End of a Tenancy?
When you learn that cleaning a property when you end your tenancy may help you avoid any disputes and increase your chances of receiving a good reference, you may be wondering who is responsible for cleaning – the tenant or the landlord?
You, as the tenant, are responsible for leaving your property clean to the same standard you enjoyed when you moved in while accounting for wear and tear. Therefore, when the time comes to vacate the premises, you can choose to clean the property yourself or hire professionals to undertake deep cleaning for your peace of mind.
Does a Property Need to Be Professionally Cleaned?
Some tenancy agreements used to contain clauses that required tenants to hire professionals for end of tenancy cleaning. While there’s no denying that professional cleaners can reduce your stress levels and save time, it’s no longer a requirement.
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 came into effect on June 1, 2019, making it illegal for landlords to demand professional cleaning, among other things. As a result, you can arm yourself with an end of tenancy cleaning checklist and clean your property yourself if you’d prefer not to outsource this crucial task.
End of Tenancy Cleaning from Pinpoint Homes
Spend more time focusing on moving and less time ensuring your property looks great for future tenants. Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help with your end-of-tenancy clean.
