Question about leaving a rental property

[seren_ccd]

Okay, I have a question about something that is really, really bugging me.

When I left the house I was renting, I made sure to clean it. I scrubbed the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, refrigerator, vacuumed, etc. I did everything that I could in a limited amount of time and with only my two hands.

Was it professional-grade clean? Probably not, but it was certainly liveable.

My former landlady is planning to take out £360 out of my rental deposit for the cleaning of two professional cleaners over the course of two days. Basically, she's charging me for a professional cleaning.

This is not sitting well with me. I was under the impression that landlords were obliged to clean the rental property under their own steam. There was no damage and I don't think comparing the job I did with that of professional cleaners is fair.

What does everyone else think?

Comments

[shirleyann66.livejournal.com]

I've just rented my first place in 14 years, and the leasing agent told me straight up that I'll never get my full damage deposit back because they use it to hire someone to professionally steam clean the place.

Now, my memory isn't the best, but I know for a fact that they never used to do that when I was renting before. I don't know when that change came into effect, but I'm with you: if I leave the place clean (steam cleaned and everything) and undamaged, then I should get 100% of my damage deposit back.

Sigh. Looking forward to owning my own place again...and I haven't even spent a night at my rental place yet!! :D

[seren-ccd.livejournal.com]

Argh. It's all so frustrating.