Six-Point Cleaning Checklist for Kent Landlords

In this three-minute read, we look at ways landlords
can prevent losing money in disputes about cleaning.

It’s
not just couples who bicker over who did or didn’t scrub the bathroom;
landlords and tenants can often find themselves at odds on the thorny issue of
cleaning.

In
fact, it’s the most common cause of landlord/tenant discord – 42% of
end-of-tenancy disputes are about cleaning*.

Here
are some tips for Kent landlords on how to avoid losing
money on cleaning disputes.

Be
realistic

Tenants
should leave a property in the same condition it was in at the start of the
tenancy – with one proviso. Legally, there’s an expectation that wear and tear
will take place due to ‘normal and reasonable’ use. Minor scuffs and marks may
irritate you, but don’t confuse ‘fair wear and tear’ with cleanliness – or lack
of.

Thorough
inventory

Good
check-in and check-out reports include photographs (lots of them, not just a
few blurry snapshots taken on the hop) and written detail. For example, if you
get the carpets professionally cleaned before a tenant moves in, state this in
the check-in report (and keep the invoice). If you get into a dispute, you’ll
need evidence to back up your claim.

Meticulous
paperwork

Keep
all invoices for work carried out at your property. Ensure they include a date
and a clear breakdown of what was done and materials. Also, keep a record of
any appliances or furniture that you purchase and conversations you’ve had with
the tenant.

Respond
to issues

Tenants
have a duty to report issues as soon as they arise. The flip side is that if
they highlight a problem, you need to rectify it. For example, if a tenant
tells you that the bathroom extractor fan isn’t working and you don’t fix it,
you’ll be on shaky ground complaining about mould in the shower.

Regular
inspections

If a
tenant isn’t maintaining your property to the standard you expect, you want to
know about it as soon as possible so you can raise concerns. The last thing you
want is a nasty surprise – and a massive clean-up bill – at the end of a
tenancy.

Build
a good rapport

If
you treat your tenant with respect, there’s a much greater likelihood that
they’ll treat your property with respect. If you do find yourself in a dispute,
try to be constructive rather than combative.

For
more advice about managing a rental property and avoiding tenant disputes,
contact us here at CWB Property.

* Data
from The Dispute Service and Decorus for Sage.