This month’s dispute concerned a landlord’s claim for £245.00 relating to the cost of professional cleaning at the end of a one-year tenancy. The landlord asserted that the property had not been returned in a sufficiently clean condition, contrary to the tenant’s obligations under the tenancy agreement.

The case

Cleaning disputes are among the most frequently raised issues at the end of a tenancy. Tenants often believe that a general tidy is adequate, while landlords may expect a standard closer to a professional clean – particularly where the property was presented to a high standard at check-in. In this case, the tenant stated that they had “thoroughly cleaned” the property prior to departure and argued that any remaining issues were minor.

The evidence

The landlord provided a detailed check-in inventory describing the property as “professionally cleaned throughout,” with particular reference to spotless kitchen appliances, limescale-free bathroom fittings, and freshly vacuumed carpets. Supporting photographs showed a high standard of cleanliness. At check-out, however, the report identified grease build-up in the oven, limescale deposits in the bathroom, dust accumulation on skirting boards, and staining to the carpets. The landlord also submitted an invoice from a professional cleaning company outlining a full end-of-tenancy clean.

The tenant accepted that some areas may not have been cleaned to a “professional standard” but maintained that the property was left in a “reasonable domestic condition.” They further argued that some of the issues such as limescale, were the result of hard water and would have developed regardless of their cleaning efforts.

The outcome

While the adjudicator acknowledged that a tenant is not necessarily required to return a property in a better condition than at the start of the tenancy, it was noted that the check-in evidence clearly demonstrated a professionally cleaned property. The check-out report showed multiple areas where cleaning fell below that initial standard. The presence of grease, limescale, and dust in several locations indicated that cleaning had not been carried out to a comparable level.

Accordingly, the adjudicator awarded the landlord £180.00, reflecting the reasonable cost of restoring the property to its original standard of cleanliness.

So, what are the key points here?

 + The standard of cleanliness at check-in sets the benchmark for check-out expectations.

+ “Domestic cleaning” may not be sufficient where a property was professionally cleaned at the start of the tenancy.

+ Inventories and photographic evidence are critical in demonstrating differences

+ By following these tips and using a trusted deposit protection scheme like the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, landlords and letting agents can ensure disputes are resolved efficiently and fairly.

If you are interested in further guidance relating to deposit disputes, visit the Help Centre at TDS to browse further guides.

Sandy Bastin is director of resolution at TDS Adjudication Services – the only not-for-profit tenancy deposit protection scheme.