A quarter of renters have previously lost their deposit in a dispute with their landlord over cleanliness, with damaged walls, floors, or fixtures among the most common reasons, according to a new survey
A quarter of tenants have lost their deposit because they failed to leave the property in a sufficiently clean condition. A study of 1,000 tenants revealed 24% have previously clashed with their landlord over cleanliness standards before moving out.
Damaged walls, floors, or fittings (17%); stained carpets or furnishings (14%), and broken belongings (13%) were amongst the reasons that resulted in them not recovering their money – totalling an average of £367.89.
Eight in ten argued they did a good enough job, but 35% of those who shared the home with someone else put the blame on them.
One in five confessed the period leading up to the inspection triggered serious disputes between themselves and their flatmates, with 29% remaining silent for several hours as a consequence.
The tasks which sparked the greatest disputes included scrubbing the oven (24%), tackling limescale in the bathroom (17%), and ensuring the windows were gleaming (14%).
Simon Bond, a spokesperson for Kärcher which commissioned the research, said: “Cleaning is often one of the biggest sources of tension in a shared household, particularly when it comes to moving out and ensuring a property is left in the best possible condition.
“End-of-tenancy cleaning can quickly become a flashpoint for renters, turning what should be an exciting milestone into a stressful and sometimes costly experience.
“Many tenants feel confident they’ve done a good job, but differing expectations around cleanliness can quickly lead to disputes and disappointment, with cleaning responsibilities often becoming a source of tension in the lead-up to moving out.
“A lack of clear standards, combined with last-minute rushes to get everything done, means small issues can escalate into costly consequences.”
When choosing who to live with, 46% considered cleanliness as an important factor and once living together, 28% would always share the cost of cleaning products between each other.
More than a fifth (23%) would make sure good quality cleaning products and equipment were purchased before the final inspection was due, with 56% finding the entire preparation stressful.
It also emerged 42% were surprised by how high the expected standard of cleanliness was at the end of a tenancy – something 30% dubbed ‘unrealistic’. However, the data revealed 53% would be willing to pay for a professional clean to help protect their future deposits.
Simon Bond added: “Household chores can quickly become a source of tension, especially when it comes to the finishing touches that are hardest to get right, like ovens, bathrooms and windows.
“Our research shows that many renters feel uncertain about what is expected of them, creating unnecessary stress at a time that’s already busy and demanding.
“With differing views on what ‘clean enough’ looks like, it’s easy to see how disputes can arise.
“The findings suggest that clearer expectations and better preparation could help reduce friction between tenants, landlords and housemates alike, giving people greater confidence as they move on to their next home.”