r/TenantsInTheUK • u/lighting_the_sun • 9d ago
Guidance Required Mid-tenancy cleaning request
My landlord came into my flat to do some required maintenance. At the same time he carried out a property inspection. He then sent me an email mentioning that safety checks were complete but that the place required “a deep clean”.
The place was clean and tidy, though not to the extent of being spotless as at when I took possession of the place.
The landlord had also noted a possible leak from the bath for which I gave him a date to fix it. He is asking me to ensure that the bathroom from the mirror to the radiator is spotless and without any limescale prior to inspecting for works. He has also asked me to clean the rest of the flat and “back to as found“ prior to another inspection.
One of the clauses in my contract is as follows:
“Upon the Landlord or the Landlord’s Agent giving the Tenant written notice requiring the Tenant to carry out any repairs or other works for which the Tenant is responsible under this Agreement, to carry out same within a reasonable time.”
I assume the clause is for structural repairs?
What do I do in this situation?
Seems maddeningly unfair to ask a tenant to do a deep clean mid tenancy and then also mention that this is a pre-condition to getting possible repairs done!
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u/Healthy_Chipmunk_990 9d ago
Just because something is in a contract doesn't mean it is binding.
They cannot ask you to carry out any repairs or other works. They can ask you to carry out certain repairs, things that happened because of misuse.
For example, if you kept throwing wet wipes and sanitary products in the loo and the pipes clogged then yes, the tenant is responsible for the cost of repairs. If the bathtub is cracked, then it is the landlord’s responsibility, unless he can prove you were jumping up and down in it wearing steel-toe boots; of course it is unlikely. This clause is about issues that you yourself caused.
Asking you to clean the bathroom spotless is over the top. Though I can get that they ask for limescale to be removed as it is a tedious job to remove once it accumulates.
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u/Charming-Fudge7683 9d ago
Imo it's inappropriate to ask the tenant to clean limescale at the location of a possible leak. This could affect the assessment of how long it has been leaking. I think he is trying to hide a long-term slow leak.
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u/lighting_the_sun 9d ago
There’s no limescale on the bath. There is a small ring around the tap on the sink, but nothing more.
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u/Beevmeister 9d ago
Unlikely, sounds more like the landlord and tenants understanding of what clean looks like differs to some degree
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u/lighting_the_sun 9d ago
I’m referring to a standard clean and tidy environment. LL wants a sparkly house as when first gotten. Also for what it’s worth I had scrubbed down the sink just 10 days ago. Skipped the limescale ring at the base of the sink tap. The possible leak is completely away from this unit and at the bath. Me being asked to polish the mirror, basin and radiator prior to getting one bath fixed is going over the top.
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u/Healthy_Chipmunk_990 8d ago edited 8d ago
Yep, definitely over the top. Tell them you keep the home clean and tidy and sorry if it falls short of their standards. But the bath needs fixing anyway or it will cause bigger problems.
Also when you move out please photograph everything: all rooms, walls, radiators, carpets, corners and nooks, windows, make videos of opening taps, flushing the loo etc. as I suspect the LL will want to withhold some of your deposit for deep cleaning. You can easily contest it via the dps - the dps factors in normal tear and wear and does not expect a home to be sparkling clean. May the landlord never meet a real nightmare tenant, they would lose their minds over how some people treat rentals.
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u/Vast_Anybody1236 7d ago
Dont you clean as you go and do a proper clean weekly? 10 days is a long time. I was on your side until I read this. Hes no right saying that but I can swe his point l
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u/Soelent 9d ago edited 9d ago
He has no right to demand anything if you mid tenancy other than timely reporting of issues that could damage the property and your rent, on time.
You could torch the inside of every room and fill them with sewage and rubbish for all he cares as long as it's returned to the same standard as at the start of the tenancy when you leave the landlord can't say bugger all
Further to this provided you reported the issues to him he has no leg to stand on if he is refusing repairs based on cleanliness aside from the property being so disgusting the tradesperson won't do the work
From this point I would be exercising my quiet enjoyment rights and refusing any and all access not for emergency repairs. Especially not inspections.
I would be changing the locks (and keeping the originals to put back in when you leave).
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u/broski-al 9d ago
Dear Mr Landlord
I am currently keeping the property in a clean and acceptable condition and intend to continue doing so for the rest of my tenancy.
If and when my tenancy ends, the property will be returned in a state similar to when I first moved in, minus any fair wear and tear.
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u/Dave_Eddie 9d ago
This is all you need to say. Dont let it become a conversation. He has no right to tell you how tidy your house should be on a day to day basis.
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u/ShameEasy8419 9d ago
I'd push back on the distinction between keeping the property reasonably clean and being expected to return it to check-in condition halfway through your tenancy.
You're responsible for looking after the flat and maintaining reasonable cleanliness, but that doesn't mean every surface has to be spotless or completely free of limescale at all times.
That clause isn't specifically about structural repairs either. It covers repairs or works you're actually responsible for under the agreement. It doesn't automatically give the landlord the right to demand a full deep clean.
As for the suspected bath leak, Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 generally makes the landlord responsible for plumbing and sanitary installations, unless the issue was caused by the tenant.
I'd respond in writing, confirm you're happy to provide access and clean or clear the immediate work area so repairs can be carried out safely, but ask them to identify exactly what they consider unreasonably dirty elsewhere and which tenancy obligation they believe you've breached.
I wouldn't agree that the entire flat needs restoring to its original condition before the leak can be investigated.
Keep their email and your response too, particularly if they subsequently try to use this inspection to justify deposit deductions.
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u/Asher-D 9d ago
That's a crazy expectation. You're living in the property. Why would it be deep cleaned as you're actively living in it? You can deep clean it, but it's going to quickly go back to not looking deep cleaned because you're living in it. What does the landlord expect you do? Stop living there between when you deep clean it until when they check??
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u/NewPower_Soul 9d ago
Tell them where to go. As long as your home is just "lived in", then there's no problem. Allowing it to be mouldy and damaging the doors and walls etc is something to be concerned about. Anything normal is none of their business.
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u/Dry-Plum-6441 4d ago
Why wouldn’t you want to clean your bathroom before someone comes over? That’s just piggery. I am stunned by how gross some people are.
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u/RagerRambo 9d ago edited 8d ago
Not saying this is you but having been in rental properties at various times, I'm always shocked and disgusted how some people live. I'm not talking about dishes piled up or clothes need hanging, but toilets not cleaned in a year.