Carpet Cleaning Misconceptions

Under the new NSW Residential Tenancies Act terms requiring a tenant to have the carpet professionally cleaned or to pay for the cost of having the carpet cleaned are prohibited  unless of course the tenant has been allowed to keep a pet at the property.

These requirements came into effect on 31 January 2011, as part of the new tenancy laws. Before that, many tenancy agreements stated that the tenant had to pay for professional carpet cleaning, even though this was not supported by the law. The new laws have made the situation a lot clearer.

However, this does not mean that the tenant cannot be made to pay for cleaning of stained or dirtied carpet.

Tenants are required to keep the premises reasonably clean and to leave the premises in the same condition as they were at the start of the tenancy, other than fair wear and tear. Where a tenant moves out leaving the carpet dirty, for example by spilling red wine, or high traffic areas, the landlord can ask the tenant to pay for cleaning or can make a claim on the tenant’s bond. However, where a tenant regularly vacuums and looks after the carpet and leaves it clean, there is no automatic right to ask the tenant to pay for professional cleaning.

Also, while trying not to go all religious on you, the Catholic's Golden Rule - Do unto others, as you would have done to yourself - I feel applies in this instance. Personally I like to know that the carpets have been professionally steam cleaned before I move into a property - you know, hygene and all that?? - So I will always make sure the carpets are professionally steam cleaned when I leave a property.

It's just a nice thing to do...

"Don’t let your tenancy go away with you"

As an added note to my last post here is an excerpt from the most recent Office of Fair Trading Newsletter;

With the holiday season fast approaching, many tenants may be planning to visit friends or relatives or go on an extended holiday. It is good practice to notify the landlord or agent if you are going to be away for an extended period. This ensures that the landlord or agent does not think you have abandoned the premises if they can’t contact you or if your rent payments stop for some reason.

In a recent case, a tenant did not advise the agent that she would be away for several months. There was a banking problem with the tenant’s automatic rent payments and her rent fell behind without her knowledge. The landlord thought she had abandoned the premises and considered terminating the tenancy.

In this case it was simply a misunderstanding that fortunately was able to be sorted out, but it could have resulted in the tenancy being ended while the tenant was away. Just like you might tell the neighbour to keep an eye on your place and empty the mail while you are away, it is a good idea to let the landlord or agent know when you will be absent from your rental property for several weeks or months. It is also good practice to regularly check your bank statements while you are away to make sure your rent payments are continuing to be made.

The full newsletter can be found here; http://node3.enews.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/online/18209992-33.html

In case you didn't realise - Christmas is on again!

Every year it's not uncommon to hear the phrase 'I couldn't pay my rent, I had to buy the kids presents'.

Now I love Christmas. I love giving gifts and receiving gifts and absolutely everything that goes with Christmas, so please don't think me a Scrooge when I say what I'm about to say...

If you can't afford both rent and Christmas presents then maybe you should have a 'home made' Christmas this year. Seriously, what's more important? A dozen more cheap plastic toys or a roof over the kid's heads?

Christmas comes every year. Every year! I know this year has just flown by, but when we started it, you knew at the end of it there would be a Christmas. If there's any possibility that it's going to be a choice between Christmas and rent then you really should be putting a little money away every week to help out. It doesn't sneak up on you, it's the same day every year, it should not come as a surprise. Be prepared!

As a side note, your car registration/insurance comes every year too. Expect it!