Tenancy A-Z

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C

Cleaning

The landlord is required to provide the property (including facilities) in a reasonable state of cleanliness to the tenant. In doing this, they should take into account all building, health and safety requirements so far as they apply to the property. Where this is not done, the tenant should notify the landlord and may issue a notice for the landlord to remedy the breach. 

Tenants should keep the property reasonably clean and tidy. This includes weeding and mowing lawns where the landlord has not accepted responsibility for this under the tenancy agreement. Tenants should also leave the property reasonably clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy.  

Where a tenant fails to keep the property reasonably clean and tidy during the tenancy, the landlord should notify the tenant and may issue a notice to remedy the breach. When the tenant fails to leave the property reasonably clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy the landlord may seek to recover reasonable costs incurred to return the property to a reasonable standard.  

See Forms and Info for template letters advising 10 working days notice to remedy a breach. 

Chimneys

Cleaning the chimney is usually interpreted as being the landlord’s responsibility while the tenant remains responsible for cleaning the ashes from the hearth. The landlord may wish to have the chimney swept and checked at least annually to ensure it remains in a safe state of repair. (The landlord’s insurance policy for the property will often not cover them if the chimney is not swept at least annually.)