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Cleaning causes the most letting deposit disputes - how can you avoid one?

Cleaning causes the most letting deposit disputes - how can you avoid one?

Cleaning causes the most letting deposit disputes - how can you avoid one?

We might be in the middle of a global pandemic but, as letting agents in Hackney we can tell you that there are some things that never change when it comes to landlord and tenant relationships: deposit issues over cleaning. Deposit disputes can cause a lot of tension at the end of a contract - something that an experienced letting agent like Storeys can help to avoid. Newly released data has revealed that cleaning remains the biggest cause of problems when it comes to end of tenancy deposit return. But what can landlords and tenants do to try to avoid this issue?

And the survey says..

The data comes from The Dispute Service, which identified cleaning as the main source of disputes in 42% of cases. Damage came a close second, followed by the need for redecoration, gardening issues and then getting behind with the rent. In the year to March 2020 there were almost 35,000 disputes raised - while this figure seems high it was actually a drop of around 500 from the year before even though there was an increase in the number of deposits being taken.

Taking the disputes issue seriously

One interesting statistic in The Dispute Service's figures was the spike in the number of tenants raising deposit disputes. As Hackney letting agents, we've helped to work through plenty of disagreements about deposits - with both landlords and tenants now clearly confident in raising disputes there's no room now for the issue not to be taken seriously. So, what's necessary to avoid a dispute situation?

  • Ensure check in and check out inventories are carried out. This is really the only way to make sure that there is a proper record of the state of the property at the start and end of the tenancy. We've been letting agents in Hackney for years and always recommend using video and photos as well as full descriptions of the property and contents. Both landlords and tenants benefit from being meticulous about this part of the process.
  • Tenants should be present during inventories. Where disputes end up in court, if tenants weren't present during the inventories then there is little chance of landlords succeeding. Equally, for tenants looking to ensure that inventories are accurate and avoid the dispute process it's better to be present and proactive during the process.
  • Make sure the tenancy agreement is clearly worded. Often where disputes arise over cleaning it's because tenants say that they didn't know what was expected of them in terms of keeping the property clean. A transparent and easy to understand tenancy agreement makes this much more straightforward, both in terms of the obligations themselves and resolving disputes that might arise from them.
  • All correspondence and documentation should be kept for the records. Whether that is receipts for deductions or correspondence about cleaning, all documentation should be carefully kept so that there is clear evidence of how the relationship progressed. If there is no deposit dispute this can be destroyed after the agreement comes to an end.

Many of the issues of deposit disputes can be avoided simply by working with the professionals - Storeys is a Hackney letting agent with a wealth of experience in preserving good relationships between landlords and tenants. However, if you're going it alone then there are still lots of opportunities to avoid the dreaded dispute - clear records, robust inventories and a transparent tenancy agreement make a great start.



Services

Residential lettings
We pride ourselves on being genuine industry experts, providing a positive experience, from enquiry to after care. Storeys focuses exclusively on lettings, and we value properties, we don’t just list them. Knowledge and innovation mean we can be competitive on costs while also delivering an individually tailored service.
Property management
Storeys is a bespoke offering based on the fundamental principle of value for money – we want happy customers. Paperless tech and eSigning deliver efficiency and convenience, no high street office minimises costs. The result is a streamlined service nimble enough to tailor what we do to suit your needs.
Valuation
Aesthetics, natural light, building quality, and overall finish – these aren’t ‘extras’ in a Storeys valuation, they’re as much a part of the process as size, condition and location. We look at individual property potential, not generic criteria. Factors like space for modern living arrangements, such as flexible working, are incorporated too. Our valuations are all the more accurate and successful for it. There is a perfect tenant for every property if you know how to find them.
Short-term lettings
Providing value for tenants and continuity for landlords, Storeys short-term lets run from 4 weeks to 6 months. We work with major London relocation teams and a global contacts network to match international tenants to perfect London properties.
Vacant property Management
We can manage your vacant property in-between tenancies or refurbishment, giving you peace of mind that the property is being looked after and inspected on a regular basis.
Superior Marketing
There is just no comparison between static photos and VR when it comes to property marketing. VR allows tenants to do a virtual walk around and get a realistic feel for the property - their expectations are grounded in reality, and properly managed. This makes VR a very effective tool, not just for generating interest and viewings but also converting those to offers. That’s why we partner with VRPM to create a virtual reality perspective for every property we handle.
Airbnb Management
We can manage your Airbnb account and make sure each booking runs smoothly, keys are always available for handover and the property is ready for the next occupation. This can run very well alongside our short-term corporate letting service.
Rent Protection
If your tenant defaults on the rent, Storeys have you covered. We also cover your legal expsenses and pay you rental income if your property is vacant whilst we remarket for new tenants. Don’t worry Storeys have your back.*ask a member of the team for more info. This service is included for every Storeys managed property.