Hey guys!
I've just actually moved into a 3 year old flat and the carpet smells and looks dirty. I am from Canada and back home when we move into a flat the landlord is required by law to steam clean the carpets however, I was made aware that this isn't the case here and is up to the tenants to clean the carpets themselves, is this true? Thanks guys!

Never lived anywhere with a landlord - but I am guessing this is true!

Thanks for your reply, any one with experience though? LOL

Hi looking, Welcome to England, why not ask your landlord to go halves with you, then there won't be any bad feelings with you both.:confused: :confused: :thumbsup:

Depends on the landlord. When I lived in Hampshire the flat was thoroughly cleaned and repainted before we turned up. We had to leave the flat in the same condition or lose our deposit when we left. (wear and tear allowed)

I personally wouldnt have signed a contract if the place was as scruffy as you say or said I will only pay x% of the deposit if I have to get a carpet cleaner in.

Landlord's responsibility to hand over a clean flat to you. Steam-cleaning the carpet seems a little over-zealous unless it really hums.

The landlord is reponsible however, if it was clean prior to the previous tenant moving in then they/he/she should have done the decent thing and left it as they found it. My guess is that they did leave it as they found it so grit your teeth and clean for your benefit it but don't do it prior to ending your tenancy.

It's not too much to ask that a landlord provides a fully cleaned unit, it's also reasonable for the landlord to expect to get back a fully cleaned unit.

Why did you accept a dirty flat in the first place.:huh:

Hi, just saw your post.
You need to read your tenancy agreement, it should state that it is the landlords duty ensure that the flat is cleaned prior to renting to a new tenant. He will have taken the fee from the previous tenants bond money anyway. Stand your ground!

Thanks guys,

well the flats not dirty, just the carpet is, when I first walked into the flat the agent and I both noticed a smell (like saw dust), but he told me it was because the flat had not been lived in for a bit and all that was needed was to open the windows. I considered it and it made sense at the time, espeically since the rest of the flat was in good condition. However once I moved in and opened the windows the smell stayed and I try looking for the source, I have it down to the carpet or a utility closet where I found saw dust (but I've clean as much of it, as I could get to).

so there isn't a formal requirement to have the carpets steam cleaned? LOL

??????????????

(snip) However once I moved in and opened the windows the smell stayed and I try looking for the source, I have it down to the carpet or a utility closet where I found saw dust (but I've clean as much of it, as I could get to).

so there isn't a formal requirement to have the carpets steam cleaned? LOL

check thoroughly for damp, as someone else has said, also check there's no beetles around.

sadly, no, there is no obligation on the landlord to steam-clean the carpets, although you'd expect the place to be let in a reasonably hygienic/habitable condition.

PT

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