Hi,

Need some help here,

We left the apartment in the 2 months back, during last week of our stay agency carried out the inspection and told everything is okay and gave us the report. Now after almost 7-8 weeks, I received bill for apartment cleaning and they asked me to sign the paper so that the amount can be deducted from my deposit which is put in Bank account by the agency.
When I took over the apartment, I took over directly from one of my friend and there wasn't any cleaning done by the agency during this handover.
Also during last day inspection, agency also didn't said a single word on cleaning, and now suddenly this cleaning bill came in my hand. I have all the agency papers, email communication with agency, final inspection reports with me. Only problem is I moved back to Singapore now.

Is agency is correct to do this ? if not how do I challenge this ?
Please help.

Many Thanks for the help and wish you nice weekend ahead.

No. The agency is not correct. Tell them it's too late! They signed off that everything was OK. If they had had objections they should have done it at the time of the hand over.

You have the report saying all was good. Tell them to stick it in their ear or something like that

Thanks. Only worry is my deposit amount is with them and they should not hold it back due to this issue.

They can't take any money from your deposit unless you agree. You don't agree. Don't sign any papers. Write them you don't agree to these charges and you want them to return your deposit in full.

If they were unsatisfied with the cleanliness of the apartment at handover time they are supposed to point it out to you, allowing you the opportunity to clean again the oven or the windows etc.. The fact that they agreed at the time it was okay does not mean they can simply change their minds, two months later, and send you a cleaning bill.

My guess is the new tenants weren't happy, had it professionally cleaned, then sent the bill to the agency who are now trying to get you to pay.

I agree. Just have patience, and stick to your principles.

Some folk can be disgusting, and try to get their own expenses deducted at anothers expense.

As the member above stated ... at the handover you are given the opportunity to correct anything not satisfactory.

I had replied to agency, saying the bill is not acceptable stating all these points.
Additionally someone also told me that you are not responsible for any bills related to that apartment beyond your contract termination date. Not sure how valid this point is

I will update you what & how agency is responding to this.
In the mean time, is someone know some legal forum or regulatory authorities whom i can involve in this matter. I am worried about my deposit amount

The Agency will inform you in writing within 2 weeks I guess.

Where is your deposit, in a bank?

Photocopy the handover protocol, send it to the bank, and ask them for your deposit. You are supposed to get the agency's agreement to the deposit release, but this action might start the ball rolling. One year after the handover, I believe they cannot block the deposit any longer.

I believe that in theory they can if they can prove that there are still bills pending that should be paid by the previous tennant. In this case it is of course tricky, but if the agency signed the paper saying that everything was ok, they should not be able to block the money.

Just think how the agency would react to you once you have signed something........ they LOVE to take merciless advantage over their clients.


Revel in the opportunity to do the same back to them.

You left the apartment
SIGNED that all was good.
any expenses are their own now, so don't back down..... they know this.


Also,
Bond money is typically not held by them for the deduction and they require your authorisation.

Any unlawful deductions can easily be disputed..... HOLD ON TO YOUR SIGNED RELEASE AGREEMENT. That thing will be worth it's weight in gold until you get your deposit back.

Should any deductions be made, write a letter to them requesting the deduction be reversed citing the signed release agreement and ask also for their reply in writng.

Failure to repay the unlawfully deducted deposit is a serious offence, and if you consult a lawyer, they not only would have to repay you, but they also could potentially lose their licence to operate.

You won't lose your bond once they have signed all is OK.


Stick to your guns kiddo !!!

Update :
I stick to my stand of not paying the cleaning bill.
After 2 months of email exchanges, finally agency has decided to cancel the bill and release my deposit amount, which is now in my bank account.
Thanks for all your support.

Excellent! I'll send you the bill for 10% for my assistance!


(just joking, in case it's not clear.)

oh no.. another bill
Many Thanks for your support.

Just out of curiosity, how much are they asking? I am curious because next summer we will leave Switzerland and I wonder how much they would ask it we do not clean the apartment to their liking.