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Renting a property goes hand in hand with a degree of responsibility. Tenants are responsible for keeping the property in good condition and returning it to the landlord in the same state that it was in on the date of the signing of the contract. One of the things included in the maintenance of the property is carpet cleaning. Landlords too have their roles and responsibilities for guaranteeing the hygiene and cleanliness of the property when leasing it out to new tenants.
So the big question that bothers most tenants and landlords is who is responsible for carpet cleaning. Should the tenants be held accountable or is it the landlord’s responsibility to hire a local carpet cleaning company and pay for the service?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question as it depends on the situation. End of tenancy cleaning can be a tricky thing to agree on. To help shed some light on the topic, we’ve prepared an article dedicated to answering the most common questions when it comes to who is responsible for paying for tenancy cleaning.
Who pays for carpet cleaning: Tenant or landlord?
To determine whether the landlord or tenant should pay for a dirty carpet when the lease agreement is over, we’ll need to look at the situation in more detail. One way to determine who is responsible is to look at the contract agreement. If the contract is detailed enough, it should state whether the tenant has any responsibility related to the professional end of tenancy cleaning services or carpet cleaning in particular.
In most cases, the landlord is considered responsible. However, if the carpet is extremely dirty or damaged, the expectations may be different. In any case, it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant to avoid any stressful scenarios and unexpected situations. The landlord cannot charge you for the normal wear and tear of the carpets in the property as this is an inevitable consequence of inhabiting a place.
So when can the landlord charge the tenant for carpet cleaning?
In most cases, the landlord is considered responsible. However, if the carpet is extremely dirty or damaged, the expectations may be different. In any case, it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant to avoid any stressful scenarios and unexpected situations. The landlord cannot charge you for the normal wear and tear of the carpets in the property as this is an inevitable consequence of inhabiting a place.
So when can the landlord charge the tenant for carpet cleaning?
Can a landlord charge you for carpet cleaning?
The landlord’s rights when it comes to charging tenants for carpet cleaning services are different in every country or state. However, overall, it’s not permitted for a landlord to charge tenants for normal carpet cleaning provided by a professional. The cleaning should be part of the turnover expenses and therefore it’s the landlord’s responsibility to clean, restore, or replace carpets that have been deteriorated or destroyed during a lease contract.
Standard carpet cleaning is perceived to be standard wear and tear and therefore should not be subtracted from the deposit money. However, this is valid for cases where carpet cleaning is a standard procedure that is performed on any carpet. Therefore, this does not include carpet restoration.
Deducting money from your lease or a security deposit as a tenant is illegal regardless of what the lease says. It’s not considered legal even in situations where:
- The lease demands that the tenants pay for the service when moving out
- The lease demands a receipt for carpet cleaning services as proof
- The lease requires that tenants pay for carpet cleaning services when moving in
- The lease says that carpet cleaning expenses will be taken out from the security deposit
- Stubborn pet urine
- Stained spots
- Oily areas
- Painted areas
We can draw a personal quote for you based on your needs and the volume of services you require. Just let us know.
When is a tenant responsible for paying for carpet cleaning?
Tenants are often worried about receiving their full deposit back when moving out. An inspection from the landlord or the real estate agency could uncover that there has been a lot of damage done to the property. But when it comes to carpets, when is it legal for the landlord to charge tenants?
When signing a lease agreement, you will receive full information on what your responsibilities, obligations, and rights are. If you have violated them in any way, you cannot expect to leave without any consequences. A key obligation that tenants have when renting property is to guarantee that its condition is the same when moving out as it was when they moved in. This means that the property must be as clean and well-maintained as possible. This means that it’s the tenants’ responsibility to clean the property.
For most tenants, a regular cleaning session with DIY cleaning solutions and methods is enough to restore the property to its original cleanliness. However, if you notice that even after hours of cleaning there are still imperfections, stains, and dirty marks on the carpet, you may need to speak to a professional carpet cleaner to provide an expert solution.
There is a need for a moving out cleaning service conducted by a professional in cases where the dirty or stained carpet areas are visible on photographs. Unless this is the case, tenants don’t need to pay for a professional service and can simply rely on DIY cleaning.
When should the landlord pay for professional carpet cleaning?
As much as tenants have a responsibility of keeping the property clean and tidy, landlords too have obligations that they must be strict with. It is the landlord’s duty to hire professional cleaners for the carpets once the tenants have moved out if the carpets are in good condition and similar to the one at the signing of the lease agreement.
Deep carpet cleaning is not the responsibility of the tenants. The professional carpet cleaning after the tenants have vacated is a must and a part of the required end of tenancy cleaning that landlords are responsible for. It will ensure that all bacteria, dirt, debris, pet hairs, and allergens have been safely removed from the carpet. A clean and hygienic environment will be more welcoming to new tenants and will ensure they inhabit a safe and comfortable property.
Conclusion
Regardless of whether you are a landlord or tenant, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of your rights and duties based on the role that you have in a lease agreement. The worst scenario is the one where miscommunication and misunderstandings have resulted in lawsuits and disputes that could have easily been avoided. Familiarise yourself with the Tenancy tribunal laws in your area and communicate clearly with the other party to make sure everyone is on the same page.
We hope that this article has answered the most common questions when it comes to carpet cleaning and whether it is a tenant or landlord responsibility. No two situations are the same and the right answer will depend on a range of factors that we’ve looked at above. Don’t forget that maintaining a clean home is in your best interest and can help protect you against viruses and diseases.