The requirements for carpet cleaning and pest control are not standard items in the tenancy agreement and should be included as special terms.

Fast facts

• Carpet cleaning and pest control should be specified in the tenancy agreement.
• A lessor/agent can specify that carpets must be cleaned or pest control carried out by a professional company, but may not specify which company should be used.
• If pets are permitted, additional pest control may be specified in the agreement, e.g. flea treatment.
• Tenants should be aware of their carpet cleaning and pest control obligations at the start of the tenancy.
• If there is any doubt over whether the carpets were cleaned before the tenant moved in, the lessor/agent should be able to prove this.