My landlord is currently trying to charge me for professional cleaning even though the property was cleaned thoroughly prior to moving out and the inventory of the house says that many rooms were of a poor domestic standard prior to moving in. I have pictures of before and after from an independent inventory company.
After I stated this, the landlord switched tactics by saying that I did not inform them of a water leak while in a 6-month tenancy. The inventory demonstrates the water damage prior to us moving in as well as some black mould where the water leak was, which I cleaned with bleach and a sponge. There are watermarks on the concrete and the drain junction has a plant growing up it, all evidenced by the prior inventory.
Does the law permit charges by a landlord in circumstances like this? The landlord or agent must have known of the leak previously.
I'm in the UK.