End of Tenancy Cleaning
Nobody wants to move into a property which is less than pristine. Who does the cleaning though is not always clear cut. It’s usually accepted that on short term lets for holiday properties, the landlord or property owner does the cleaning. For a longer term rental when the tenant is in place for a few months or longer, the cleaning is the responsibility of the tenant. Unfortunately not all tenants have the same standards of cleanliness, and it might still fall to the landlord to whip the property into shape for the next tenants.
Sorting Specialist Cleaners
Most large cleaning firms will offer an end of tenancy cleaning service. The advantage to this is that a team of trained professionals can clean your property much more quickly than you alone, even with help. Expect to pay around £200 for this service, depending on the size of property. If your property has been left in a particularly poor state, it may cost more. You should book the cleaning company in as soon as you know the date your tenant will be moving, as this minimises the time your property is sitting empty waiting to be cleaned.
DIY Cleaning Tips
If you have the time and the property is in a reasonably good state, then you could choose to do the post-tenancy clean yourself. It’s really no different to cleaning your own property. Go to the property fully equipped with all of the sponges, buckets, mops and cleaning products you will need for the job. Most attention will need to be paid to the kitchen and the bathroom. In the kitchen, the areas which typically need most cleaning are the areas around the hob, and inside the fridge. If it’s easy to move appliances and clean behind them, try to do so. In the bathroom, get the rubber gloves on and don’t be afraid to scrub. Check areas such as the grout between tiles and floor for cleanliness. Clean the windows, remove any rubbish and move furniture so you can clean all of the carpet and not just the visible parts.
What about When Deeper Cleaning is Required?
If a light clean of the type you would do on your own property isn’t enough, then you might need for intensive methods of cleaning the property. Before you start hiring equipment or removing curtains for dry cleaning, check what costs you can reclaim from your previous tenant’s deposit. In general, wear and tear is accepted as part of the cost of being a landlord. If however your tenant has spilled red wine all over your carpets which need specialist cleaning, that cost could be deducted. Seek expert advice if you are unsure. If you have time, hiring a carpet cleaner and thoroughly treating all of the carpets in the property can make the house seem much cleaner and more appealing. This is also the time to attend to minor maintenance jobs, painting and decorating or replacing any broken appliances which are discovered at the tenancy check out.
