is landlord responsible for cleaning up the apartment upon handover?

[serendipity99]

The agent said I should hire a helper to do the cleaning upon moving in. But from what I've heard, isn't this the landlord's responsibility? The flat is not filthy but needs a swipe or two on the surface and a good mop on the floor due to flat viewing etc. What your experience?

Also if I would like to hire a maid to clean my flat once a week, how much should I pay her per hour? What's the standard market rate?

Cheers,

S

[WMDS]

Have you moved in, paid all relevant parties their money? If so, you don have a leg to stand on. If not, I would recommend a final viewing before you hand over your hard earned cash.

Market rate is about 50-60 dollars per hour.
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[serendipity99]

Have you moved in, paid all relevant parties their money? If so, you don have a leg to stand on. If not, I would recommend a final viewing before you hand over your hard earned cash.

Market rate is about 50-60 dollars per hour.
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Haven't moved in yet. Just signed preliminary agreement and yet to sign formal contract. Given this is the case, is landlord responsible for cleaning the flat? Thanks!

[wtbhotia]

then you demand that it be cleaned spotless before you pay any deposit / rent / commission, also check that its been done properly, take pictures of any damages etc etc and keep for reference so that when you move the deposit is not deducted for damages that were already there.

[Raccon]

Haven't moved in yet. Just signed preliminary agreement and yet to sign formal contract. Given this is the case, is landlord responsible for cleaning the flat? Thanks!

Dunno if there is any regulation but you should negotiate this with the landlord while visiting the apartment together before signing the formal contract. Identify what concerns you and agree with the landlord who will be responsible to fix it, have it noted in the contract and then only sign it.

I did so with my landlord, there were some cracks in the bedroom wall that needed filling and some areas needed a new coat of paint, if I hadn't asked for it I am sure he would have just left it the way it was and it would be my problem to fix.

[ALAU]

Anything that was not agreed on prior to signing (and in the contract as a supplementary term) be it cleaning, fixing broken stuff, the landlord need not do, at least not legally speaking.

However, good landlords should hand in apartments in a decent condition. If you are just talking about a mop on the floor, do it yourself la, not difficult. Not worth arguing about. You can ask the landlord nicely though and see if he would do it.

[UK/HKboy]

you can ask the landlord and he will probably say yes...

How thoroughly... i dont know. The first flat i moved to, i asked the landlord to give it a clean, but it looked no different when we moved in. We just couldnt be bothered to make a fuss and to be honest, it would be better if you did it yourself as some of these "professional" cleaners are just old ladies who give it a couple of swipes with a mop...

if there are any obvious damages, then make sure these are pointed out.

[cookie09]

just for the sake of it: there is no law governing this aspect

[ALAU]

There is if you PUT it in the tenancy agreement as a supplementary term listing the works (such as repair) that have to be done prior to handover, and the cleaning, etc.