Hi all,
So myself and my partner moved out of a 1 bed flat. We spent a furious 24 hours straight cleaning the property before we moved - and it was in a great condition.
However, after the standard check out inspection, my letting agent advised me that although the cleaning was to an extremely high standard, there were little points not quite up to standard. I offered to put those things right - they advised me that they would require a receipt from a professional cleaning company regardless.
Since it was part of the contract, I honoured it and employed the services of a cleaning company. I sent this company a copy of our check out report, highlighting the areas which needed attention, also reiterating the points in my email, although being very careful to point out that a full end of tenancy clean was required. And so the company quoted me for a full end of tenancy clean.
Since we had at this point been out of the property for two days, the company agreed that they would collect the keys at 9am from our letting agent (very near to the property). The lady from the company said that the cleaning would be finished by 12 noon, and that she would call me 15 minutes before so I could meet them at the property, inspect the work carried out, and make payment.
However, I received a text message at 10.20am telling me that the cleaners had finished! I thought it a little odd that they could have finished in a maximum of an hour and twenty minutes, but guessed that if they had brought the property up to standard, then it was fine. However, since they were much earlier in calling me, I didn't make it to the property until around 11am - by which time the cleaners had left and dropped the keys off with the letting agents.
I did not have the opportunity to inspect the work carried out. I called the cleaning company and made payment with a debit card - since I trusted they had carried out the work.
However, the next day, my letting agent informed me that another check out inspection had taken place, and that to the same check out clerk, it seemed that no further work had been carried out, with the exception of a wipe down of the inside of a bathroom cabinet.
I called the cleaning company who said that they were able to visit the property a second time to put right what they had missed. I let my letting agent know this, but they told me a new tenant was moving in, and that a second visit would not be possible.
So I demanded a full refund from the cleaning company. I asked why they had spent only an hour and twenty minutes maximum on a full end of tenancy clean. I asked them why they didn't give me the opportunity to inspect the work. I told them that despite not being able to visit the property a second time, if they had spent longer on the initial clean, this situation wouldn't have arisen.
The cost of this company to carry out the 'full end of tenancy clean' (for which I have an invoice, which states the job to be as such), was £108 inc. VAT. Not a massive sum, but then again my letting agent may ask me to cover the cost of further cleaning. I also need the money - I am freelance, work is a little dry, and I am supporting my girlfriend who is studying. And besides any of this is the principle - the company have been dishonest, didn't carry out the work they were asked to and were paid to.
I have spent a long time calling this company to talk with them - they never call me. Eventually they made an offer - they would clean the carpets at my old property, for the new tenant, for free. Firstly, the property has no carpets. Secondly, the new tenant has likely cleaned herself, had a cleaning company in, or will not be willing to allow a company who have already let her (and myself) down. So this, for me of course wasn't a reasonable suggestion.
I informed the company that I had a log of emails and phone calls, and a weight of evidence behind me to prove that they are in the wrong. I contacted my local MP, whom I am waiting to hear back from. I have told them I am willing to take them to small claims court if necessary.
The company have offered me a 30% refund. I'm not sure that the company should receive 70% - or ANY of the money - because they willbe benefitting from poor service and poor customer service. And I am still left with two bills - one from them, and one from my letting agent.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? Should I just accept the 30% refund and let it go? Should I wait to see whammy MPhas to offer (this could take a while)? Should I follow it upon small claims court? Is that a lengthy an expensive process for a small amount of money?
Any advice welcomed - I am fairly stressed with this, and even if I am told I am being unreasonable and that I should just drop it would be appreciated so I can just get on with my life.
Thanks.
So myself and my partner moved out of a 1 bed flat. We spent a furious 24 hours straight cleaning the property before we moved - and it was in a great condition.
However, after the standard check out inspection, my letting agent advised me that although the cleaning was to an extremely high standard, there were little points not quite up to standard. I offered to put those things right - they advised me that they would require a receipt from a professional cleaning company regardless.
Since it was part of the contract, I honoured it and employed the services of a cleaning company. I sent this company a copy of our check out report, highlighting the areas which needed attention, also reiterating the points in my email, although being very careful to point out that a full end of tenancy clean was required. And so the company quoted me for a full end of tenancy clean.
Since we had at this point been out of the property for two days, the company agreed that they would collect the keys at 9am from our letting agent (very near to the property). The lady from the company said that the cleaning would be finished by 12 noon, and that she would call me 15 minutes before so I could meet them at the property, inspect the work carried out, and make payment.
However, I received a text message at 10.20am telling me that the cleaners had finished! I thought it a little odd that they could have finished in a maximum of an hour and twenty minutes, but guessed that if they had brought the property up to standard, then it was fine. However, since they were much earlier in calling me, I didn't make it to the property until around 11am - by which time the cleaners had left and dropped the keys off with the letting agents.
I did not have the opportunity to inspect the work carried out. I called the cleaning company and made payment with a debit card - since I trusted they had carried out the work.
However, the next day, my letting agent informed me that another check out inspection had taken place, and that to the same check out clerk, it seemed that no further work had been carried out, with the exception of a wipe down of the inside of a bathroom cabinet.
I called the cleaning company who said that they were able to visit the property a second time to put right what they had missed. I let my letting agent know this, but they told me a new tenant was moving in, and that a second visit would not be possible.
So I demanded a full refund from the cleaning company. I asked why they had spent only an hour and twenty minutes maximum on a full end of tenancy clean. I asked them why they didn't give me the opportunity to inspect the work. I told them that despite not being able to visit the property a second time, if they had spent longer on the initial clean, this situation wouldn't have arisen.
The cost of this company to carry out the 'full end of tenancy clean' (for which I have an invoice, which states the job to be as such), was £108 inc. VAT. Not a massive sum, but then again my letting agent may ask me to cover the cost of further cleaning. I also need the money - I am freelance, work is a little dry, and I am supporting my girlfriend who is studying. And besides any of this is the principle - the company have been dishonest, didn't carry out the work they were asked to and were paid to.
I have spent a long time calling this company to talk with them - they never call me. Eventually they made an offer - they would clean the carpets at my old property, for the new tenant, for free. Firstly, the property has no carpets. Secondly, the new tenant has likely cleaned herself, had a cleaning company in, or will not be willing to allow a company who have already let her (and myself) down. So this, for me of course wasn't a reasonable suggestion.
I informed the company that I had a log of emails and phone calls, and a weight of evidence behind me to prove that they are in the wrong. I contacted my local MP, whom I am waiting to hear back from. I have told them I am willing to take them to small claims court if necessary.
The company have offered me a 30% refund. I'm not sure that the company should receive 70% - or ANY of the money - because they willbe benefitting from poor service and poor customer service. And I am still left with two bills - one from them, and one from my letting agent.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? Should I just accept the 30% refund and let it go? Should I wait to see whammy MPhas to offer (this could take a while)? Should I follow it upon small claims court? Is that a lengthy an expensive process for a small amount of money?
Any advice welcomed - I am fairly stressed with this, and even if I am told I am being unreasonable and that I should just drop it would be appreciated so I can just get on with my life.
Thanks.
