FAQ · Landlords
Landlord questions
Cleaning between tenancies, inventories that carry weight, and electrical compliance.
← All questionsCleaning
Will the clean meet the check-out standard?+
Yes. Our teams clean to the standard the inventory clerk judges against, because we are an inventory company too. The property is finished to the condition a check-out report measures, so the most common deduction disappears.
Can you clean between tenancies at short notice?+
Where we have availability, yes. Tell us your dates and we will do our best to fit the turnaround, especially where a new tenant is about to move in. If you cannot see the slot you need when booking, email us and we will try to help.
Do I get a report I can keep on file?+
Yes. After the clean you receive a before and after photo report, room by room, within two working days. If a deduction is ever queried, the evidence is already in your hands.
Who pays for the end of tenancy clean?+
Commonly the departing tenant, to return the property to the cleanliness recorded at check-in. A landlord cannot deduct for cleaning without evidence, which is why the check-in and check-out reports matter to both sides.
Inventories
Do I really need a professional inventory?+
At adjudication, the deposit schemes give professional, detailed, signed reports more weight than a landlord's own notes and photos. Landlords without a signed check-in lose disputes they would otherwise win.
Do I need an inventory if the property is unfurnished?+
Yes. In an unfurnished rental the most valuable items are the fixtures and fittings. The kitchen, the appliances, the radiators, the windows. Without a check-in report there is no evidence of their condition if something is later damaged.
What is the difference between check-in and check-out?+
The check-in records the condition and contents at the start. The check-out compares the property against that record at the end and evidences any changes. One is worth little without the other.
What if the tenant will not sign?+
You get an automated reminder to send the report on for signature, so it never gets forgotten. If the tenant still does not sign, the report records that it was issued and when, which itself matters at adjudication.
Can you do the cleaning as well?+
Yes, one call books both and we sequence them properly: clean first, inspection after. Our clerks report what they find on every job, including cleans by our own team. If our clerk flags a cleaning issue on our own work, it comes to you as a finding in the report and we ask your permission to put it right.
Electrics
Do I legally need an EICR?+
Yes. In England a landlord must have a satisfactory EICR in place for every tenancy, under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. A local authority can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 for non-compliance.
How often does the EICR need renewing?+
At least every five years, and before a new tenancy if your current certificate has expired. If a report comes back with an earlier recommended date, we work to whichever comes first.
What happens if the EICR is unsatisfactory?+
We carry out the remedial works arising from the report and give you written confirmation once it meets the standard. The regulations expect remedial work within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies, so we move quickly.
What is PAT testing, and do I need it?+
Portable appliance testing checks any appliances you supply with the property, such as a kettle, washing machine or lamp. It is not required in the same way as an EICR, but it is a straightforward way to show the appliances you provide are safe.
Do you do general electrical repairs?+
No. We handle three things only: EICR inspections, the remedial works arising from an EICR, and PAT testing.
Who carries out the work, and how fast do I hear back?+
NICEIC registered electricians. We explain what the report found in plain English, and you get an update within one working day.