End Of Lease Cleaning unsatisfactory

Luke5566 on 18/01/2022 - 08:51
Last edited 19/01/2022 - 15:59

I recently vacated firm a rental property in Tasmania and used the real estate agent recommended cleaners.
But now the agent is emailing that those walls are not properly done, carpets got stains and the cleaners need to come again and do it and I will get charged extra.

My car had leaked oil on the carport. Should "cleaning the carport/garage" be a checklist item for End Of the Lease cleaners?

Agent emailed

You had NO obligation to use the cleaners I suggested it was you that ask me for details. You was more than welcome to find your own cleaner or do the clean yourself that was your choice.

Could I please get any suggestions from you?

Update #1 10:36am AEDT

Thank guys, the REA has taken it down a notch after all emailing back and forth and said they will only charge me extra for oil stain in the garage.
I am trying to send one of my friends to do this to save some money (The cleaner said it's might be around $130 to clean just a little oil spill. ridiculous)

Update #2 11:17 am AEDT

Have just got a callback from the Tenants Union of Tasmania,
They said not to pay out of pocket if I think it's unreasonable, instead, request the agent to take it from the Bond.

Then lodge a bond dispute and let the the Commissioner look into the evidence.

Update #3

Decided to pay just for the carport cleaning and get it done with. Requested Before and After photos and looks like they actually came and used pressure wash and scrub.
They said they will not charge for Carpet and Wall cleaning which is a win for me.

Many thanks guys for all your insights ☺

Home & Garden

Comments

  • SF3 on 18/01/2022 - 08:55
    +1

    used the real estate agent recommended cleaners.

    What did the REA/PM say when you phone to ask them?

    But now the agent is emailing that that walls are not properly done, carpets got stains
    There is an little oil spill in the carport mentioned so unsure whether it’s an obligation of the cleaners too.

    Seems like some additional information and context is missing with such posts…

  • pegaxs on 18/01/2022 - 08:59
    +14

    Contact the cleaners yourself, tell them of the issues that the REA outlined. Organised with the cleaners and the REA to reinspect the areas that were picked up. If they are not clean, tell the cleaners you are not happy that they didn’t clean to the specification of the agreement and get them to do it again and that you won’t be paying because they should have done it right in the first place.

    Also, REA are arseholes. They could just be bunging this on to extract extra $$ from your bond and they will never have the house re-cleaned. You may find that their husband/wife/family member owns the cleaning business and are trying to sling them free work. You need to go back and inspect the items they are claiming were not done and then find out from your state’s regulatory body what is fair wear and tear and go from there.

  • MrThing on 18/01/2022 - 09:01

    I bet OP has already paid the "cleaners"

    • life is suffering on 18/01/2022 - 09:06

      Yeah

    • Luke5566 on 18/01/2022 - 09:43

      yeah, I paid before the cleaning. But since they are REA's contact, they will ask the cleaners to come again and try to charge me.

  • Hithere on 18/01/2022 - 09:01
    +3

    Discuss the issues with the cleaners first. They are probably friends/relations of the agent anyway.

    See what they have to say. If they haven't done the clean properly it's not up to you to pay them extra.

    • MrThing on 18/01/2022 - 09:12
      +1

      I bet thats the case, its some scheme the REA and the cleaners have,

      recommend the cleaners, cleaners get paid, REA complains its a poor job, the REAs mates come back for a 2nd crack, get paid again, REA gets a finders fee

      great scam. A+

  • life is suffering on 18/01/2022 - 09:07
    +3

    Cleaners really don't do shit these days tbh.

    • MrThing on 18/01/2022 - 09:09
      +2

      Agree, cleaners are a waste of money. they dont move, relocate, clean under, clean over anything.

      If your desk is covered in papers they will clean around them. if you floor has clothes on them, they will clean around them. they dont vacuum under beds or sofas

      waste of time. do it yourself, its not hard

      • ddn2004 on 18/01/2022 - 09:14
        +2

        They don't want to be accused of theft if the owners can't find certain items.

        • life is suffering on 18/01/2022 - 10:12
          +1

          Theft in an empty house? Usually end of lease cleaning has no items inside whatsoever

      • poohduck on 18/01/2022 - 10:17
        +1

        How much time are they paid for cleaning? I've seen this in schools - contracts are years old, the cleaning job gets bigger and bigger. The cleaners might be paid for 3hrs but the job takes 5.

  • jellykingdom on 18/01/2022 - 09:08

    You can always ask how much its going to cost for the REA to handle it themselves?

    I did the cleaning when we vacated rental place, and I just paid them $200 to finish the job in the end. Couldn't be bothered going back to clean the oven and make the shower screen sparkly

  • Luke5566 on 18/01/2022 - 09:09
    +1

    I just spoke with the cleaners. The REA said the cleaners hasn't done a good job in wiping down the walls and need to do it again. But the cleaners are saying they tried already a few times but it does not come off. They will try again today (which is fishy, charge extra for wiping a wall) or will need to repaint.

    The stains on the carpets apparently aren't coming off.

    • Cheaplikethebird on 18/01/2022 - 09:14
      +1

      From memory they can only make a claim on the carpet if it's less than 5 years old.

    • Forfiet on 18/01/2022 - 09:17
      +4

      I do wonder if fair 'wear and tear' should apply here….

    • Seraphin7 on 18/01/2022 - 09:25

      Have you had a go a cleaning the walls yourself?

      Is it really that hard for them to clean it? If not, get them in to do it again. If so, wiping the wall all you want ain't going to clean it and it may need to be repainted.

      We then turn to what is the cause of the wall staining and therefore who might be responsible for the repainting.

      • pharkurnell on 18/01/2022 - 10:16
        +2

        Have you had a go a cleaning the walls yourself?

        We have a winner.

  • Hithere on 18/01/2022 - 09:22
    +3

    If you can't get a reasonable result from the agent/cleaners tell them that you will be contacting -

    TENANTS’ UNION OF TASMANIA
    166 Macquarie St, Hobart
    Advice Line: 1300 652 641
    www.tutas.org.au

    • Luke5566 on 18/01/2022 - 10:39
      +2

      Thanks, they are a callback service. I left my name & number and they will call me back.
      btw, the 1300 number didn't work. Had to google and call (03) 6223 2641

  • pharkurnell on 18/01/2022 - 10:15

    There is an little oil spill in the carport mentioned so unsure whether it’s an obligation of the cleaners too.

    What does that mean?

    • Luke5566 on 18/01/2022 - 10:18

      My car had leaked oil on the carport. Should "cleaning the carport/garage" be a checklist item for End Of the Lease cleaners?

      • thatonethere on 18/01/2022 - 10:29

        Heh no way they are getting that off.

  • dogboy on 18/01/2022 - 10:30
    +1

    Most bond cleaners have a clause where they will come back and address any issues. I would reach out to them first.

    • AndyC1 on 18/01/2022 - 10:40

      But these were REA recommended cleaners, not bond cleaners!!!!

      • Luke5566 on 18/01/2022 - 10:47

        they are bond cleaners. These guys
        https://www.jimscleaning.com.au/franchise/australia/tas/home…

        • AndyC1 on 18/01/2022 - 10:59
          +1

          Did you get the bond cleaning or end of lease cleaning?

          They may be different and you will need to figure this out yourself by read inf the contract you signed when they did the work. If you got bond cleaning then you will not have to pay any more for them to clean so you do not loose any of your bond. if the REA does claim money from the bond for cleaning then Jims should re-reimburse you. Read the conditions of the work you got done to ensure that these conditions are in the contract you agreed to as these are standard type conditions for a bond clean.

          • Luke5566 on 18/01/2022 - 11:20
            +1

            @AndyC1: I asked that from the Tenants Union of Tasmania,
            They said it's more of the same.

            The Cleaners charged me for "End of Lease cleaning"

            • AndyC1 on 18/01/2022 - 11:26

              @Luke5566: You need to read the terms on the web site as they are NOT the same.

  • sparkles on 18/01/2022 - 10:32
    +1

    I see threads like this and I'm like "They want your bond bro".

  • Luke5566 on 18/01/2022 - 10:36

    Thank guys, the REA has taken it down a notch after all emailing back and forth and said they will only charge me extra for oil stain in the garage.
    I am trying to send one of my friends to do this to save some money (The cleaner said it's might be around $130 to clean just a little oil spill. ridiculous)

    • AndyC1 on 18/01/2022 - 10:42
      +4

      SCA can of de greaser should hopefully do the trick. Oil dripping from a car in a garage is normal, so the REA is a d***head.

    • GG57 on 18/01/2022 - 11:10
      +1

      I imagine the $130 include labour and materials (including travel).

    • Sweetnsour on 19/01/2022 - 09:38

      Just leave unused cardboard under the car for next garage floor. Alfoil the oven, plastic wrap/alfoil the cook top area for ease of cleaning in future. Kitchen cupboards a good tip I do is place oil/sauce bottles in plastic trays to prevent drips. Clean shower weekly, ventilate bathroom. I prefer to prevent the issues early to save time/stress in future.

  • KaTst3R on 18/01/2022 - 10:45

    I'll be surprise if the REA doesnt have any kick back from this.

    • Krankite on 18/01/2022 - 11:07
      +2

      100% they do but usually the only reason you would ever go with the REA recommendation is they don't cause a fuss afterwards. Can't believe they are actually trying to double dip on this one.

      • KaTst3R on 18/01/2022 - 11:07
        +1

        Greedy bastards.

  • Luke5566 on 18/01/2022 - 11:17
    +4

    Update#2: Have just got a callback from the Tenants Union of Tasmania,
    They said not to pay out of pocket if I think it's unreasonable, instead, request the agent to take it from the Bond.

    Then lodge a bond dispute and let the the Commissioner look into the evidence.

    • spackbace on 18/01/2022 - 11:27
      -6

      It's $130, in the scheme of things that's a small amount to just wash your hands of the whole situation

      • orangetrain on 18/01/2022 - 14:17

        That would be great advice for the REA

        • spackbace on 18/01/2022 - 14:19
          +1

          Everyone has their own $$s/hr threshold where it just becomes easier to get someone else to do it with the proper tools

          Oil stains aren't 'expected' from most cars

    • Hithere on 18/01/2022 - 12:55
      +1

      Well done Luke 5566.

      REA are scum. They prey on the people who are the most vulnerable.

      • spackbace on 18/01/2022 - 13:11
        -1

        Lol so true. Had one recently make me go back and 'fix' a light globe I hadn't checked. Just needed twisting back in place. But all that effort

  • brendanm on 18/01/2022 - 11:17
    +1

    You was more than welcome

    The brainpower of of a property manager.

    • GG57 on 18/01/2022 - 13:30

      Again, it could be OP's transcription that introduced the grammatical errors in that section of this post.

      • Luke5566 on 18/01/2022 - 14:00

        nah, email copy-paste

  • life is suffering on 18/01/2022 - 13:27

    Name and shame the REA

    • Luke5566 on 18/01/2022 - 13:38

      😁. Maybe after this saga is finished

      • frostface on 19/01/2022 - 18:08

        Was it McCallum real estate?

  • Cheaplikethebird on 18/01/2022 - 14:39

    Absolutely crazy that they can't chase up their cleaner. IME the PM and cleaners are pretty chummy considering they chat multiple times a day when they come to pick up keys and with the amount of business they send to them it shouldn't be an issue calling back the cleaner if their work isn't up to scratch.

  • geoffs87 on 19/01/2022 - 09:15
    +3

    I cleaned my last rental property (was only a 2br apartment that i was in temporarily between houses for 9 months). They made me go back and clean 1 cobweb from behind a roller blind, took me 2hrs round trip to get the keys and into the apartment, 30seconds to clean it… wild. REA can be annoying sometimes - they could have wiped it clean with their hand on the spot…

    • chrismatt on 19/01/2022 - 09:25
      +3

      REA/PMs are the worst humans

  • OzHunterNSW on 19/01/2022 - 14:26

    Good that you used "their" cleaners bc now it is "their" cleaners that have explaining to do.

    You refer your RE to the cleaner and have them enquire into why the place was not cleaned properly. After all, it is the cleaner's job.

    If the RE wish to take the matter further, you will win in Tribunal.

  • Luke5566 on 19/01/2022 - 15:58
    +2

    Update #3
    Decided to pay just for the carport cleaning and get it done with. Requested Before and After photos and looks like they actually came and used pressure wash and scrub.
    They said they will not charge for Carpet and Wall cleaning which is a win for me.

    Many thanks guys for all your insights ☺

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