Landlord Claiming Steam Clean Carpet ($100) When He Is Renovating The Place. Worth Taking to VCAT?

[Deactivated] on 24/12/2020 - 16:14
Last edited 24/12/2020 - 16:24 by 1 other user

Hi, I have vacate a rental unit, where I spent 7.5 years.

Landlord is renovating the kitchen and bathroom. I spoke with him and he said I had to clean the stove/oven but everything else would be okay.

I collect my stuff, vacuumed the place.

Now Landlord wants to claim steam cleaning the carpet. He said the place has a strong odour of cats. Now landlord has been to my place many times before and never said a word. Obviously he was always against the cats, but new legislation in Victoria said I could keep pets. Cats do not smell (even if you don't like cats!).

The cats have never damage the carpet, never peed or poop on it, and always used the litter box in the laundry area.

I reminded them the carpet is over 7.5 years (it was already in place when I moved).

I said I will not pay the $100 and we can take to the court. REA said I signed the contract. I replied saying that it is not enforceable under Tenants Union of Victoria.

Any tips of what to do next?

I am under the impression he wants to renovate and use my money to clean the place. Renovators will be going through the carpet.

TIA

*Before any one say, if you rent you do what landlord say or buy your place. Yes, I bought my place so I don't pay exorbitant rent.

Home & Garden

closed Comments

    • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2020 - 10:44
      -4

      Hey, tks for replying. Most people don't know the law. After I posted a little research show time and time again VCAT has ruled "steam cleaning out".

      The moment I was out renos were in. Then on Wednessay REA messaged regarding something I left behind. And I agreed to pay the cost for removal.

      Next day she messaged again, this time about the carpet and thats when I said no. Then she said but it is on the lease. I said no. Then she said but the cats ordour. To which I still said no.

      • Jaystea on 25/12/2020 - 10:58
        +1

        So you're a lawyer then?

      • RecklessMonkeys on 25/12/2020 - 11:34
        +1

        To be clear, I think you are probably in the wrong.
        You have no evidence that the carpet was soiled after you left, and you did not steam clean them yourself.

        It's best to take photos when moving in and out. Also good to be present when they go through the condition report.

        Is it the Landlord now asking for the cleaning or just the agent?

  • alxr0101 on 25/12/2020 - 09:05

    Ask to see a receipt that it has been done.

    I should think its arguable that the term is not enforceable if the landlord has no intent to keep the carpet.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2020 - 09:56
    +6

    Absurd to think cats don't smell. You're getting away with it cheap. Pay up and move on.

  • Jaystea on 25/12/2020 - 10:58
    +2

    Pay up and shut up.

  • DarkOz on 25/12/2020 - 11:05
    +4

    7.5 years using the carpet when living with cats without a single dry clean. Dude, you are 6 dry cleans ahead so just pay for the 7th!

  • modsec802 on 25/12/2020 - 11:14
    +4

    Cats stink - pay the man Homer

  • Dadidalol on 25/12/2020 - 11:35
    +2

    Firstly, Merry Christmas, please don't get yourself so worked up over $100. As a new house owner, many things would cost way more than this in the future and you are not going to be much richer with or without this $100. My advice is to pay for it, stop letting it ruin your day and move on with your life.

    As others have said (and as a previous renter myself), I think it's pretty normal to pay for carpet cleaning after finishing a lease. 7.5 years ago when you moved in, unless the carpet was brand new at the time, the place was most likely steam cleaned before you moved in and you had benefited from it. It's your turn to pay it forward now. Don't feel like you're the only person doing this - as the rest of Ozbargainers have said, it's quite a common practice. When I was growing up and my family was dirt poor, we asked our landlords if we could do the steam cleaning ourselves (~$40 equipment hire from Bunnings) and it's never been an issue. And yes even though we always took care of the properties we lived in, we felt obligated to return it to the best possible state.

    As a house owner and landlord now, I feel like whoever rents my place should know to steam clean the carpet when they move out, particularly if they own pets. Imagine if this was your own house that you're renting out, regardless of whether you're planning to renovate, continue to rent it or move in yourself, wouldn't you want the carpets to be left in a clean state by your renter? And yes I know that regular vacuuming can give carpets the appearance of being 'clean' but in actual fact there are heaps of dust mites and pet dander trapped under the fibers (which you can't see) that are difficult to remove. I own a cat now and I have seen the allergic reactions some friends have upon entering my house, even if I vigorously vacuum beforehand with my Dyson and bathe my cat once a month.

    At the end of the day it's your choice when you still want to go to VCAT but do you really want something so trivial to drag on and on?
    In my culture there is a famous saying which translates to "Lose money to ward off misfortune"….I believe it's worth paying this $100 to stop you from agonising over it any longer and turning it into a bigger problem for yourself.

    Hope this helps!

  • bigbadboogieman on 25/12/2020 - 11:38

    Well cats do smell and I am not a cat/pet hater. Your senses might have adjusted to the smell though. Having said that I would never apply to rent a carpeted apartment if it smelled due to a pet even if it's clean.

    The point here is that you should treat others the way you would want to be treated.

  • OzHunterNSW on 25/12/2020 - 11:43

    Hahahahah… say NO.
    I've have sat out from Tribunal and listened to LandLords plead why the tenant should pay for this and that from their bond. The astute Member equates the age and usage of the property.

    In your case, the Land Lord has absolutely no chance, and has exposed themselves as unscrupulous individuals.

    Take care

    • ankor on 25/12/2020 - 17:24

      Even when they ask that the item be cleaned? It's not about whether they are asking for a replacement of the carpet..

  • Willco88 on 25/12/2020 - 12:21

    First World problems

  • AMLagonda on 25/12/2020 - 12:24
    +3

    OMG all this over $100 ffs just pay the money you owe and move on….

    And yes cats, dogs, any animals have smells.

    • monkeyfood on 25/12/2020 - 12:38

      same argument to the owner I guess

  • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2020 - 12:29
    +5

    Cats 100% smell

  • seeknsearch on 25/12/2020 - 12:49
    +4

    You're embarrassing yourself here. Is it even worth $100?
    Pay and move on.

  • Gamer Dad Reviews on 25/12/2020 - 12:58
    +6

    Clean your god damn carpet ya filthy animal

  • bashar20 on 25/12/2020 - 13:24
    +3

    Regardless of landlord intentions after you vacate the property. You must steam clean carpets if you have pets.

  • dufflover on 25/12/2020 - 14:26
    +2

    I steam-cleaned a place after being there for "only" a year (but yes it was in the lease contract too).

    You're in trouble OP, you have a contract against and you're just talking crap if you think it's not "legal", it's as if you think this is complaining to the ACCC about some statutory warranty on what you think is right.

    That said, I do sympathise a little with being misled that your landlord saying he's going to renovate the place, then seemingly changing his mind. You seem to argue that as some legal thing though which is worth diddly squat. It's not illegal for them to change their mind. Funnily enough I had a similar offer one time where the landlord said they were going to massively reno the unit so I only had to just clean up the appliances too. In a new listing later I did see they practically change everything like carpet and paint.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2020 - 16:51
    +4

    I thought they were gonna be claiming your entire bond or something… Just pay the $100 lol

  • gregsurname on 25/12/2020 - 17:28
    +7

    Cat people really are another breed.

  • raiseyoursteaks on 25/12/2020 - 18:06
    +6

    Someone living with a cat all these years will not figure out any smell. It's the normal scent to them. Just like someone that doesn't shower, they usually can't smell it as the nose has been programmed to be acceptable. It takes an outsider not familiar to the filth to pick them up easily. For all that we know, you might has just made up that "the landlord said I only need to clean the kitchen".

    You have been living there, doesn't matter what the landlord does after you move out. You just need to pay for the steam clean and go about your life. I don't get it, this is OzB… Not whinepool. For $100 bucks you want to head to the vcat?

    People like you need to be made known to public. Let's see how difficult you appear to be when people know who you are. It's people like you that make the terms on rental agreements idiot proof.

    Petty. Dishonest and champion time waster.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2020 - 18:29
      -6

      Cat have been living there for 1 year and not 7.

      If I lived in the same place for 7 years without a problem, without destroying anything, without being kicked out, it is because I am not terrible, hence I am annoyed by landlord change of mind.

      And name calling just wow.

      Cheer up, people here ask all sort of things.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2020 - 18:43
    +7

    Disabled account, lmaooo.

    I'm glad you bought a house, you sound like a pain in the arse to deal with. $100 is nothing to steam clean carpets. Go get a professional quote and find out for yourself.

  • haemolysis on 25/12/2020 - 19:44
    +7

    Gosh stuff like this is why it’s a terrible idea that Victorian tennancy law doesn’t allow banning pets. Bad enough to be forced to accept animals but tennants also feel like they’re not obligated to clean after them either? Disgusting.

  • Willco88 on 25/12/2020 - 19:45
    +2

    Just like hoarders who live in filth and animals and feaces think it's all normal, they are called delusional for a reason!!!

  • ozbargainer666 on 25/12/2020 - 19:53
    +6

    why are cat owners like this?

    • hasher22 on 26/12/2020 - 01:42
      +1

      Don't put all cat owners in a bucket.

      The OP rather go through legal route instead of the policy route which is quite an effort if you ask me. The OP also got a cat due to change in legislation, even though the landlord stated they didn't want pets.

  • scottySK on 25/12/2020 - 22:40
    +2

    Cats absolutely do smell, and it's disgusting

  • Wiser on 25/12/2020 - 23:06
    +4

    It is just unreasonable you are questioning
    $100 cleaning charges.
    This may cost you more if you call in professional cleaners.Lucky the landlord is not claiming more.
    Please pay and move on

  • Drakesy on 26/12/2020 - 00:23
    +7

    TLDR
    OP is denying that cat's would smell.
    Landlord is requesting barely anything for expected end of tenancy cleaning.

    The fact the landlord is renovating doesn't really matter. The contract is to leave the place in a clean state.

    If it was your house would you accept carpets that smell like cat?

  • chakkz on 26/12/2020 - 06:47
    +4

    This guy. just wow.

    For 100 bucks he wants to take the landlord to courts.
    I feel sorry for his new neighbours already.

  • HeWhoKnows on 26/12/2020 - 09:06
    +1

    OP
    Its very clear to see exactly who is being TOTALLY UNREASONABLE here.

    You have lived in the place 7.5 years
    You have pets in the place

    And you think a quick vacuum will do a reasonable end of lease clean? Seriously?

    As a landlord I would be also insisting on spraying the place for fleas etc at YOUR EXPENSE!

    Mate Stop embarrassing yourself here and just pay the carpet cleaning fee.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/12/2020 - 09:07
    +4

    This post reminds me of the guy that was trying to claim he should get 45 days free rent as they where getting booted out because the owner wanted to sell.

    Same entitlement attitute.

  • HeWhoKnows on 26/12/2020 - 09:17

    Reading through the comments here seems like OP and humiliation got the blasting they deserved.

  • itbargainhunter on 26/12/2020 - 09:55

    Totally support you OP! Spend the rest of your life to make this right!

    We are all here to wait for the news of your next big legal challenge!

    </sarcasm>

  • trapper on 26/12/2020 - 10:57

    This is ridiculous, pay the $100. You should have got this done yourself.

  • Jclass on 26/12/2020 - 11:45

    Remind me never to lease you ANYTHING

  • f23lda on 26/12/2020 - 12:00
    +1

    Anyone else regret reading these trending topics? I can't help myself about once every 3 months. I'll just scroll slightly too far down on the front page and cop a face full of consistently bizarre threads where some injustice or awful logic has been implied.

    • simonjb on 26/12/2020 - 15:30
      +1

      YES! and It's usually dirty people complaining about renting driving rules or neighbor disputes. Almost always their own fault.

  • bohn on 26/12/2020 - 12:17

    Carpets are usually steam cleaned before you move in. Clause in lease usually says you need to steam clean them when leaving. Do it.

  • RedDevil860 on 26/12/2020 - 12:48

    Seriously dude, it is $100. Just get it bloody steam cleaned. It is not a big deal.

  • spedohero on 26/12/2020 - 14:25
    +1

    I always do a standard moving out cleaning which will include carpet steaming. The receipt will then be provided to agency. I always get my bond back in full.

  • Wazzza on 26/12/2020 - 14:45

    $100 is cheap tbh. Couple years ago I had my carpets steam cleaned after two years of use, man the dirt that came out shocked us. We took care of the carpets but the steam really cleaned everything waaaaay better. So after 7.5 years I think the carpets could use some deep cleaning.

    The stress,time and effort etc are not worth it. I would recommend you to pay it or have it done yourself.

    Congrats on your new place house.

  • simonjb on 26/12/2020 - 15:28

    Renter doesn't want to clean carpet after exposing carpet to animals for 7 years. Disgraceful. So glad I don't have to deal with renters anymore.

  • BumbaT on 26/12/2020 - 16:59

    Looks like op was looking for an echochamber.

  • baskinghobo on 26/12/2020 - 18:48
    +1

    And I thought I was tight…

  • raiseyoursteaks on 26/12/2020 - 19:59
    +1

    I don't know if its even possible to get a professional steam cleaner for just $100.

    And OP wanted to bring this to VCAT potentially…for 100 BUCKS…

  • MrMoo on 26/12/2020 - 23:12

    How much was the rent? I mean if you slept on the streets for a week wouldn't you get like hundreds of dollars in savings? If you feel like $100 is worth that much, surely hundreds of dollars is worth sleeping on the street?

  • THICKnSLOW on 26/12/2020 - 23:42
    +1

    Landlord sounds like a reasonable person to not remark on DisabledUser's stinky cats during its' tenancy so that the tenant can have quiet enjoyment of the landlord's property.

    OP is a douche.

  • sinqbad on 27/12/2020 - 00:09
    -8

    Surprising amount of bootlicking here. Imagine simping for a landlord.

    • Wibbleman on 27/12/2020 - 11:22
      +1

      Haha - joined to post the outrage!
      DisabledUser362419 - is that u?

      Yes - Imagine simping for someone that helps people with little or no cash reserve live in reasonable accommodation.
      Oh, I just did :)

      This thread has been hilarious. Exactly what I needed over Christmas :)

  • living4music on 27/12/2020 - 12:23

    You have been there 7.5 years with your cat, and don’t want to pay $100 for carpet steaming when you move out? How cheap….

  • [Deactivated] on 27/12/2020 - 12:29

    So basically you signed a contract and don’t want to honour it based on your assumptions the carpet will get more dirty anyway so why should you pay to steam clean it? Cats smell man, it’s not terrible but you can 100% smell it when cats live indoors. After over 7 years all the guy is asking you for is to honour your contract and pay the $100 and you want to waste your time fighting this? Yeesh… you’re mad.

  • Moderatorscrimshaw on 27/12/2020 - 13:22

    OP disabled account. Thread closed

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