Do you need to professionally clean carpets when moving out?
September 29, 2018, 4:11pm NZT
The short answer is "No". Still, some of the property management agencies add this to their tenancy agreements. At the end of tenancy they charge you an extra fee to cover the cost of the cleaning.
A member of the Auckland Tenants Facebook group had that experience. An agency charged her $120 to commercially clean the carpets when she and her partner left:
"The tenants must have the carpets professionally cleaned upon leaving, which was indicated in the lease agreement (but we didn't check unfortunately), so they are taking $120 to have it done"
The property management agency was "UNO Property" located in Mt Eden, Auckland.
If you are facing a similar situation, you are probably wondering if this is legal?
It is NOT ILLEGAL to add this rule to the agreement, but in practice it is "UNENFORCEABLE" . So, while the tenancy agreement may ask for it, no one can force you to do it or charge extra money for it. In one of its order the Tenancy Tribunal says:
"It is not unusual to find that clause in residential tenancy agreements even though it is not able to be enforced because it creates a greater obligation on tenants than the requirement to leave premises reasonably clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy."
It doesn't mean you can leave the carpet dirty though... You do need to leave the house and carpets "reasonably clean and tidy". You can do it on your own terms. If it needs cleaning you can do it yourself.
"Make sure you leave the property reasonably clean and tidy (inside and outside), and take away all your rubbish." "A tenant must not damage the tenancy premises during the tenancy, more than fair wear and tear."
So if the carpet is reasonably clean and the agency still tries that trick on you - be smart, negotiate! They should back out when you show them the Tenancy Tribunal orders (see "Sources" section below). The Tenancy Tribunal order is quite clear that requiring tenants to professional carpet cleaning is an unreasonable. And don't forget to post your review on Smart Tenants. You will help others avoid the same problem.
SourcesExample Tenancy Tribunal order (tenants don't need to professionally clean the carpets)
https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/3621438-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf
Example Tenancy Tribunal order (carpets unreasonably damaged)
https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/3628140-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf
Auckland Tenants Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/314329545761894/
Ending a tenancy checklist
https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/ending-a-tenancy/ending-a-tenancy-checklist/#id_254229-things-for-landlords-to-consider
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