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[nimrod23]

I moved into my current unit a year ago. During the move in inspection i noted that the oven was absolutely filthy. Since i do not use the oven, i didn’t follow up on it to get it cleaned. I figured since i noted it on the inspection form, i am covered.

Meanwhile, the agent in charge of my unit changed. The agent came by for an inspection and said that i had to clean the oven. I said that it was like that when i moved in, and i noted it on the move in inspection form. She said i still had to clean it.

 

What are my rights here? Am i responsible for cleaning it? Or should the agent send someone? 

My unit is otherwise kept clean, and the agent is increasing the rent $10 from next month. 

 

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[Jimmy-T]

According to various fact sheets on the Tenants Union website the landlord is required to provide the accommodation in a reasonable state of cleanliness and repair and you are required to maintain the cleanliness and leave the unit in the same condition as you found it.

With that in mind, it sounds to me like your rental agent is an ignorant bully (one of the very few, hey?) who needs a quick lesson on the workings of the Residential Tenancies Act.

I would write them a letter saying that the state of the oven is not your concern as you don’t use it and the landlord (or their agent) thought it was OK to hand it over in that condition.

However, if they want it cleaned you will allow reasonable access for a cleaner paid by them to do it.

In the meantime, do you think the rent increase is excessive?  If so, there are also factsheets at the above website on how to challenge that, too. 

And on the subject of ovens, if you do decide on a professional clean, preferably paid for by the landlord, go the whole hog and get the ‘Oven Fairy’ in. Seriously, check THIS WEBSITE out – they’re not cheap but your oven or barbecue will be as good as new when they’re done.

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[nimrod23]

Thanks Jimmy T.  I shall email them. Hopefully they will send someone to clean it.

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[nimrod23]

For the sake of completeness, i thought i should add what has transpired. 

 

Before i had a chance to email the agent, she emailed me referring me to the lease clause which states: the tenant agrees to keep the residential premises reasonably clean (her bold formatting) 

 

I replied with Residential Tenancies Act 2010 which states  i have the right to have premises rented to me in a reasonable state of cleanliness and fit to live in, but it wasn’t and that I will allow reasonable access to the property for a cleaner paid by the agent to come clean it. 

 

(During the initial inspection, she noted that i had to clean the shower door. This was a reasonable request, so I did clean it). 

 

Three days after my reply, the agent comes over with an office manager. The officer manager, whom i have never met before, claims that she knows how the unit was before i moved in, and the oven was in a cleaner state. I held my ground stating it was filthy when i moved in. The office manager then looks at my recently cleaned shower door, and says she agrees with the agent and that i have to clean the the door. 

It seemed to me the office manager was there to just repeat what the agent had told her… 

I did not hear from the agent for 3 weeks (since the last inspection). So i emailed the agent today, asking if they were planning on sending someone to clean the oven. If not, that i want it in writing that i will not be charged for it when i move out. They’ve arranged for a cleaner to contact me to schedule a time. 

 

So, the issue is almost resolved. I did ask for the office manager’s name and title, just for my records, in case i had to escalate this issue. The agent has not responded to this query. 

 

Much gratitude to JimmyT and this site for helping the little people. 

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[Jimmy-T]

Good on you for standing your ground.  We have to help the little people with the little Hitlers.

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